Joint report: Sixth meeting of the Bilateral Dialogue on raw materials

March 3, 2024 (Toronto)

The sixth meeting of the Bilateral Dialogue on raw materials established under Article 25.4 of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) took place in-person on March 3, 2024 in Toronto, hosted by the Government of Canada. This annual dialogue provides an opportunity to discuss progress and activities under the Canada-European Union (EU) Strategic Partnership on raw materials (the Partnership) with the European Commission (EC), provincial governments, and EU member states.

1. Opening remarks and policy priorities

Policy updates focused on the latest developments on raw materials’ policy and strategies from both parties, including:

• The European Commission provided an update on the Critical Raw Materials Act highlighting their focus on boosting both internal capacities within the EU and with third countries that the EU has Strategic Partnerships with, including Canada.
• The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) provided an overview of the research programs they manage and invited Canadians to participate in Horizon Europe. Canada has concluded negotiations for association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe and the association agreement is expected to be signed mid-2024.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) provided an update on latest measures under Canada’s Critical Mineral Strategy and implementation to date. These include a first Call for Proposals for the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, which will provide support to the clean energy and transportation infrastructure needed to develop and expand Canada’s critical mineral resource production.  Natural Resources Canada’s, Critical Mineral Centre of Excellence has also been established under the Strategy and has established a critical mineral concierge service to assist critical mineral project developers in navigating federal regulatory processes and federal support measures.

Canada-EU Strategic Partnership on raw materials: progress on its implementation

NRCan presented an overview of the completed activities under the Strategic Partnership to support trade and investment into Canada-EU critical mineral value chains, further advance research and development collaboration, and effective multilateral coordination on critical minerals.

Upcoming activities under the Partnership include: 

• planning additional Canada-EU business investment forums and workshops to promote British Columbia’s critical minerals strategy and Quebec’s support tools for the raw materials value chains;
• promoting research collaboration under Horizon Europe;  
• launching a joint study examining skills in critical raw materials value chain; and
• continuing to work closely through our joint multilateral mechanisms. 

2. EU Member States and Canadian provincial/territorial government representatives – Tour de table

The tour de table provided an opportunity for regional updates on critical minerals strategies and projects.

3. Closing remarks and next steps

This annual dialogue achieved its objectives of discussing progress and upcoming activities under the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership on raw materials with Natural Resources Canada, the European Commission, provincial governments, and EU member states. The meeting was well attended, including twelve EU member states, six provinces and two territories.