Parliamentary Secretary to Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Claude Guay, has announced $5-million of investment under the country's First and Last Mile Fund in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region that will help advance infrastructure essential to responsibly develop critical minerals in Québec.

The support is specifically targeted at First Phosphate's Bégin-Lamarche phosphate mine, with First Phosphate having committed to catalyse an additional $5-million in private investment.

This latest bit of funding builds on a $16.7-million investment through Natural Resources Canada's Global Partnerships Initiative for First Phosphate's Bégin-Lamarche demonstration and feasibility project to produce high-quality phosphorous in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, which was announced in March.

Quebec accounts for nearly one-fifth of Canada's mineral production, containing significant deposits of critical and strategic minerals including phosphate, which is used in lithium iron phosphate batteries, renewable energy storage systems, off-grid power solutions and emergency backup systems used by Canadians every day.

This funding will go towards pre-development work including feasibility and environmental studies, as well as engagement with Indigenous and local communities to help determine the best routes and designs for power transmission and transportation infrastructure that would link the mine to regional rail networks and the Port of Saguenay.

This will speed up responsible development by addressing infrastructure gaps that can delay resource development.

The projects that underpin development of the Bégin-Lamarche mine are expected to create about 500 jobs during construction, while the mine is expected to create 300 jobs once production starts in 2029.

"By investing in enabling infrastructure, the government of Canada is building more resilient, sovereign supply chains; reducing reliance on non-allied materials; supporting Indigenous and community participation; and creating good-paying jobs. Canada has what the world wants, and we are working with Québec and Indigenous Peoples to unlock our resources to create jobs, prosperity and security for all," says Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.

Guay adds that Canada and Québec have an opportunity to become a reliable supplier of the critical minerals the world needs for the technologies and industries of the future. "We're supporting critical minerals projects in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and beyond to strengthen Canadian supply chains, create economic opportunities and build Canada Strong."