Federal government invests nearly $5M to connect Quebec critical minerals to market

SAGUENAY, Que. — The federal government announced a nearly $5-million investment under the First and Last Mile Fund in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region to advance infrastructure essential for developing Quebec's critical minerals.

The funding targets First Phosphate's Bégin–Lamarche phosphate mine. First Phosphate is matching Natural Resources Canada's contribution, catalyzing an additional close to $5 million in private investment.

Boosting Clean Energy Supply Chains

Quebec accounts for nearly one-fifth of Canada's mineral production, featuring significant deposits of strategic minerals like phosphate. Phosphate is a core component used in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which power electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, and emergency backup technologies.

Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, emphasized that the initiative will address infrastructure bottlenecks. The money will support pre-development work, feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and Indigenous and local community engagement.

Economic Impact

The infrastructure upgrades will determine optimal routes for power transmission and transportation to link the mine directly to regional rail networks and the Port of Saguenay. The project is projected to create approximately 500 jobs during construction.