Sudbury MP Motion for Study on Defence and Critical Minerals Gets Support from all Parties – National Defence Committee Study Begins next Week

SUDBURY – The National Defence Committee will undertake a study examining the nexus between national defence, national security and Canada’s critical minerals sector. The study will begin on Monday, February 9.

The study was initiated by Member of Parliament for Sudbury, Viviane Lapointe, who tabled the motion at the Defence Committee. The motion was adopted with all parties voting in favour of the study.

The motion directs the committee to examine how secure access to critical minerals underpins Canada’s defence capabilities, supports essential military technologies, and strengthens Canada’s strategic resilience and energy security.

“Energy security is national security,” said Lapointe. “I brought this study forward because access to critical minerals is no longer just an economic issue, it is fundamental to Canada’s defence readiness and national security.”

Members of the National Defence Committee will examine:

• How critical minerals support Canada’s defence industrial base, including the production and maintenance of advanced military technologies

• Opportunities for Canada to contribute to allied defence supply chains, including the potential to supply NATO partners with strategic minerals

• Ways to strengthen secure, resilient supply chains through enhanced domestic capacity and collaboration with trusted allies

The committee will also consider how Canada can better align its critical minerals strategy with national defence priorities while reducing vulnerabilities in global supply chains.

“As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, Canada must ensure these resources are developed securely, responsibly, and in a way that serves our national interests,” Lapointe said. “This study is about strengthening Canada’s sovereignty, supporting our allies, and ensuring our defence sector has what it needs to operate effectively.”

At the conclusion of the study, the committee will report its findings and recommendations to the House of Commons.