On Monday, March 13, Rodrigue Turgeon, MiningWatch Canada's National Program Co-Lead, presented a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defense as part of its study on the links between national defense, national security, and critical minerals. In his testimony, Rodrigue raised serious concerns regarding foreign powers’ access to Canadian mineral resources, the environmental and security risks associated with the expansion of mining for national defense and security purposes, the importance of mineral sobriety, and the need to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Read his testimony below.
Study by the Standing Committee on National Defence, National Security and Critical Minerals
Rodrigue Turgeon, MiningWatch Canada
Good morning. Thank you for having me. My name is Rodrigue Turgeon and I am a lawyer and National Programme Co-lead at MiningWatch Canada.
Founded in 1999, MiningWatch Canada now has 25 member organizations representing, collectively, several hundred thousand people across the country. Over the past 27 years, MiningWatch Canada has advocated on issues related to the environment, human rights, Indigenous peoples' rights, transparency and corporate accountability in the mining sector.
As international institutions erode and “middle powers” like Canada find themselves on the front lines between three major powers – the United States, Russia and China – calls are growing for Canada to exercise greater control over its mineral resources to protect national security and sovereignty. In its most extreme form, this argument suggests that foreign states could exploit Canada’s so-called critical minerals for economic, industrial or military purposes in ways that threaten its security and sovereignty.
The strategies of the Government of Canada and provincial governments on critical minerals all share the common thread of defining these minerals based mainly on their role in global "supply chains." Contrary to what industry and governments have been trying to convince the public since the beginning of the decade, it is not at all necessary that these minerals be used for the energy "transition" in order for them to be considered “critical”.
However, despite these "security" threats that have been raised for several years, we see virtually nothing in recent bills introduced and passed into law across the country that would give federal and provincial authorities greater leverage over access to and control of mineral resources. For the moment, we observe that governments seem more concerned about deterring foreign investors or erecting trade barriers than they are about seeing foreign states turn minerals extracted from Canadian soil against them.
Paradoxically, we are even seeing a very high level of collaboration between the Government of Canada and the United States, including the Department of War, in the joint development of numerous mining projects in the country that are considered to be critical or of national importance, and we are seeing a diplomatic rapprochement between the Government of Canada and China. For the sake of consistency, the Government of Canada should adopt a more transparent approach and clearly communicate to the public whether it intends to tolerate, accept or refuse foreign state access to and control over Canada’s critical minerals.
These positions should then be reflected in policy by limiting cooperation with, and restricting access for, foreign entities that are hostile to Canada’s security. At the very least, the Canadian government should not allow for the fast-tracking of permits to mining companies or foreign entities that are hostile to Canada’s national security. Under no circumstances should the country's minerals be used for the creation or proliferation of weapons used in violation of international law, including in genocides, whether employed by the country or by a third state.
One thing is certain: if Canada pushes for increased mining production for military, national security or national defence purposes, it will inevitably cause further harm to the environment and to the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities.
Both domestically and internationally, Canada and its provinces claim to distinguish themselves by their ability to produce not only "critical" minerals, but also "responsible" ones. We do not share this view. Governments should start by enshrining the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in mining laws, recognising that safeguarding clean water and air is vital to Canada's national security, and focusing their efforts on achieving mineral sobriety across all minerals and sectors, including national defence. In other words, reducing Canada's overconsumption of minerals.
There is a cost to rushing mining project approvals. This opens the door to bad mining projects that are dangerous to the safety of workers, Indigenous peoples, local communities and the environment. The Government of Canada must also close the door to seabed mining for military or other purposes. The national defence strategy related to so-called critical minerals must not rely in any way on the use of nuclear energy. Like a large part of civil society, we denounce the diversion of funds and efforts related to the energy "transition." The climate emergency is a real and present danger to national security, not just a vague geopolitical threat. We cannot negotiate peace with a warming climate.
So, thank you all for listening and for considering our thoughts, our brief and our recommendations on the nexus between critical minerals, national defence and national security.
Media Coverage:
- March 9 2026. Radio-Canada, online article. MiningWatch Canada redoute l’impact environnemental de l’exploitation minière militaire.
- March 9 2026. Le Devoir, online article. Renforcer la sécurité du Canada pourrait aussi passer par les déchets miniers.
- March 9 2026. Sudbury Star, online article. Mine waste like those found in Sudbury could strengthen national security.
- March 10 2026. Radio-Canada, Côte Nord, radio interview. Minéraux critiques et défense nationale : MiningWatch Canada appelé à se prononcer, avec Catherine Paquette.
- March 11 2026. The Northern Miner, online article. Canada’s weakness lies beyond the mine gate, MPs hear.
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