b'PRESIDENTS MESSAGEMESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF MINEST he mineral exploration and miningstage projects and supports grassroots history in this province runs deepmineralexploration.and is responsible for building up our economy, especially in theAs announced in our 2023 budget, Building a north. The discoveries made by ourStrong Ontario, we are investing an additional tremendous minerals sector have led to$6 million over the next two years in OJEP, stronger communities and regions that benefitbringing the total investment to $35 million, from building new mines. Today, Ontarioswhich will help more companies search for mining sector is thriving once again, andpotential mineral deposits and attract further our government knows that it all starts withexploration. investment in this growing sector.Right now, there is worldwide interest andIn addition to OJEP, the Critical Minerals urgency to find the critical minerals our societyInnovation Fund (CMIF) supports Ontarios needs to build smartphones, batteries, electriccritical minerals sector by funding research, vehicles and the technologies of the future.development and the commercialization Jurisdictions across the globe require theof projects to stimulate investments in our critical minerals that we have in Ontario. This isprovinces critical minerals supply chain. This why our government is focusing on building a$5 million fund is supporting Ontario-based made-in-Ontario supply chainso we can mineinnovative projects ranging from mining critical minerals and manufacture batteries and electric vehicles within our province. and mineral processing to the recovery and recycling of minerals. These projects prove We know the world wants Ontarios criticalthat Ontario has the mineral resources and minerals, and we know that our governmentsindustry expertise to supply and manufacture role is to create business conditions to attractinnovative technologies such as batteries and investment, optimize competitive advantageselectric vehicles.and enable the mining sector to do what it does bestbuild more mines. The pace ofIt is an exciting time in Ontarios mineral technology and business does not wait fordevelopment community. The future prosperity jurisdictions that stand by or are delayed byof our province is being staked today by the the regulatory process.people working to develop our mineral wealth. Our governments Building More Mines Act,From exploration to innovation to helping 2023, which was given Royal Assent on May 18,companies build more mines, our government will set the stage for our province to becomecontinues to provide support throughout the the leading global jurisdiction for mineralmining life cycle. We are building on Ontarios investment and development. It will create thecompetitive advantages, securing our place as right legislative and regulatory environmentthe number-one mining jurisdiction in the world for companies to build mines more efficientlyand adding another exciting chapter to our to support building a made-in-Ontario supply chain for the global electric vehicle revolution. provinces mining story.Unlocking Northern Ontarios critical minerals is key to our future economy, which is why our government is also promoting a competitive business climate that encourages early exploration and mineral development through programs such as the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP), which helps exploration companies fund early- George Pirie, Minister of MinesONTARIO PROSPECTOR SUMMER 2023 5'