< Previous10 For daily news follow CMM on Facebook and X INDUSTRY GREETINGS anada’s mining sector is at a pivotal moment. With a rapidly aging workforce, shrinking enrolment in mining-related post-secondary programs, and persistent barriers for underrepresented groups, the industry faces a critical talent gap. To address this, the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) has launched a career awareness campaign to address negative perceptions of mining, support industry recruitment and government objectives, and increase the mining talent pipeline. Built on the momentum of MiHR’s successful Mining Needs You campaign, this new effort encourages youth to “Find Your Place in Mining”. At its heart is a clear mission: to inspire the next generation of mining professionals by connecting with young Canadians and the communities that support them. This national movement is driven by collaboration. A coalition of partners have supported the first year of the campaign, including members of the Mining Association of Canada, the World Gold Council, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. MiHR aims for the campaign to be a sustained five-year initiative with tangible results. Scaled efforts focus on creating national collaboration between industry and academia, aligning educational programs with industry needs, and uniting industry stakeholders under a single, cohesive vision. The campaign targets Canadians aged 15 to 24, including Indigenous youth, young women, and newcomers – groups traditionally underrepresented in mining. Efforts are designed to break down outdated stereotypes and present mining as a modern, inclusive and purpose-driven industry. Today’s youth are seeking more than just jobs: they want careers that align with their values, offer growth, and make a difference. Mining, with its rapid technological evolution and commitment to sustainability, offers exactly that. From AI-driven automation to clean energy solutions, the sector is transforming, and young people have a vital role to play in shaping its future. By engaging young people early on, the campaign empowers them to see themselves as future leaders in mining. Whether their interests lie in technology, environmental science, engineering, business, or skilled trades, the industry offers meaningful pathways to success. Through mentorship, career development programs, and leadership opportunities, young Canadians are not just invited to join the industry, they’re encouraged to help redefine it. To connect meaningfully with youth, the campaign employs a multi-faceted communications strategy. This includes targeted advertising, a strong social media presence, media outreach, school immersion initiatives, and participation in youth-focused events. In May 2025, a pilot advertising campaign kicked off in Kamloops, British Columbia, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This dynamic initiative included visually striking, out-of-home marketing along bus routes and near high schools, and utilized popular digital platforms frequented by youth. Insights gained from this pilot will pave the way for a national rollout in fall 2025, targeting 10 additional communities known for their strong mining connections, diverse geography, and rich access to educational and training opportunities. The campaign also focuses on expanding MiHR’s Mining Needs You Career Ambassador Program. Through virtual and in-person engagements, industry professionals share real-life stories, answer questions and offer relatable insights into mining careers. These interactions help youth envision themselves in the industry and understand the diverse opportunities available. MiHR-hosted events, such as a virtual career fair and the launch of a Career Ambassador webinar series, provide Find Your Place in Mining: A National Call to Inspire and Empower the Next Generation Ryan Montpellier Executive Director Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)Visit us online at www.CanadianMiningMagazine.com 11 national opportunities for youth to connect with and learn from mining professionals. MiHR is also partnering with education technology company myBlueprint to launch a micro grant contest for their student industry immersion series in October. A MiHR-sponsored mining careers video contest will engage students to create short videos showcasing their exploration of mining careers. The platform has the potential to reach up to one million youth across the country, offering resources, guidance, and even micro- grants for students who create videos. The campaign’s success hinges on active participation of mining industry stakeholders. Industry leaders, educators, community organizations, and government partners all play a role in amplifying the campaign’s message and creating real opportunities for youth. Stakeholders are encouraged to support the campaign in several impactful ways. They can share campaign content through their personal and professional networks, including social media platforms, to broaden its reach. Distributing materials at schools, community centres, and public events is also recommended to engage local communities. Additionally, stakeholders are invited to nominate volunteer Career Ambassadors who can share their personal journeys and inspire youth and participate in MiHR- hosted events offering further opportunities for youth engagement. This collective approach ensures that the campaign is not just a communications effort, but a movement that builds bridges between young people and industry, and between industry and the communities it serves. By placing youth engagement and stakeholder collaboration at its core, the campaign ensures Canada’s mining sector remains forward-thinking, inclusive, and sustainable – a place where young people can discover purpose, build meaningful careers, and contribute to a greener, more innovative future. To learn more, receive campaign materials, or explore partnership opportunities, contact info@mihr.ca or visit www.MiningNeedsYou.ca. M RYAN MONTPELLIER HAS OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING HUMAN RESOURCES AND LABOUR MARKET CHALLENGES IN THE CANADIAN MINING INDUSTRY. APPOINTED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN 2008, HE LEADS ALL OF MIHR’S STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES AND REPRESENTS THE COUNCIL ON VARIOUS INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT COMMITTEES AND ADVISORY PANELS. RYAN IS A PAST RECIPIENT OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF MINING – YOUNG LEADERSHIP AWARD AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATORS GOLD QUILL AWARD. HE IS A REGULAR SPEAKER AND PANELIST AT INDUSTRY CONFERENCES AND EVENTS AND WAS A PAST DISTINGUISHED LECTURER FOR THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF MINING, METALLURGY AND PETROLEUM (CIM). RYAN HOLDS A NUMBER OF DEGREES INCLUDING AN MBA AND A PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (PMP) DESIGNATION.12 For daily news follow CMM on Facebook and X FEATURE Mining’s Proven Model. Tech’s Unlimited Potential. One Bold Strategy for Both. By David E. Perry, Founder, www.CanFlowThrough.com ith Prime Minister Mark Carney at the helm and global economic pressures intensifying – including aggressive tariffs from Trump – Canada faces a choice: double down on proven policy tools like Flow-Through Shares (FTS) to supercharge innovation across all sectors, or risk losing our competitive edge. Modern mining isn’t just drills, shovels, and geological models – it’s also advanced sensors, predictive analytics, and AI-driven automation. The technology that enables every innovation in mining doesn’t happen by accident; it happens because someone funded the risky R&D that created it. Who better to appreciate that than Canada’s mining leaders? Flow-Through Shares have proven their worth to this industry for more than 70 years, attracting the capital that fuels exploration and discovery. It’s time to recognize that we can – and must – do the same for the home- grown tech that keeps mining competitive while driving safety, productivity, and profits. FTS is an investment incentive that reduces investor risk by providing a tax credit for up to 100%. The company that issues the shares gains some of the capital it needs to cover the approved expenses. By extending FTS to Canadian tech companies developing tools for mining we don’t just help the tech sector: we multiply mining’s strength, drive new efficiencies, and ensure Canada captures more value across the entire resource economy. It’s not charity; it’s strategic self-interest.Visit us online at www.CanadianMiningMagazine.com 13 Joseph Lanzon, CEO of Search Minerals states plainly that, “Canada needs to develop the infrastructure to process and utilize these critical minerals in a way that benefits our entire economy.” FTS were created in the 1950s to de- risk early-stage mineral exploration, and they’ve proven their value ever since. According to both the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and the Mining Association of Canada, mining still captures 75 to 80% of all FTS capital – raising between $800 million and $1.4 billion annually and generating $2.50 to $3.00 in economic activity for every dollar invested. The TSX reports that 2024 was the best year in five years for FTS activity on the exchange. More than a tax break, FTS have given Canada a competitive advantage that few countries can match. The success of FTS was so compelling they were extended to oil and gas and then 29 years ago to renewable energy. Every time Canada recognized a new frontier, policy followed – and the economy grew. Early-stage tech companies face the same hurdles that mining companies do: long lead times, high capital intensity, and specialized talent requirements. Extending FTS to these companies would give Canadian investors a proven structure to support them. As Art Korpach, retired Vice-Chairman of Investment Banking at CIBC World Markets, puts it, “The AI and new economy race are real and intense. Winning won’t happen without a plan. Updates to FTS to cover not just our critical minerals, but also technology and software developments would be transformational for Canada’s VC sector – the cornerstone of a winning plan.” Prime Minister Mark Carney witnessed these kinds of programs firsthand during his time as Governor of the Bank of England. Launched in 1994 and 2012 respectively, Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) rapidly became cornerstone tools in the UK’s economic development strategy by giving investors tax relief for funding high- risk startups, which encouraged private capital into innovation sectors. In return, investors get income tax breaks, capital gains exemptions, and loss relief if startups fail. The impact has been profound: EIS and SEIS have seeded companies that would go on to scale, with nearly half of the UK’s unicorn startups having received EIS/ SEIS backing. The funding also created 400,000 jobs, led to 80,000 patents filed, and generated tens of billions in taxable revenue. Along the way, it helped establish the UK as one of the most dynamic startup ecosystems in Europe. Some might ask whether extending FTS to tech dilutes its benefits for mining. The answer is no – it enhances them. Mining and tech are becoming inseparable. Every discovery, every ton of ore extracted – all depend on continuous innovation.14 For daily news follow CMM on Facebook and X Those innovations are already in the hands of Canadian companies. David Tyldesley, Co-Founder & Producer of SAAS NORTH – Canada’s conference for scaling software and AI companies – agrees, noting, “The fastest crossover might be something like industrial SAAS and AI for operational efficiency and sustainability in mining. Imagine FTS-funded Canadian tech building the next generation of AI-powered tools for predictive maintenance, geological analysis, or smart factory automation.” Gene Villeneuve, Chief Revenue Officer at MASV, one of Canada’s most secure and seamless file transfer platforms, sees immediate opportunities too. “Many tech organizations that work with large facilities, digital twinning, LiDAR scanning, and more could enable faster tech and mining resource development.” This isn’t just about short-term funding – it’s about long-term sovereignty. Canada sits on a once-in-a-century opportunity with its critical minerals: lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earths. But if we only extract these minerals and ship them raw, the most lucrative parts of the value chain leave the country. Suzanne Grant, Entrepreneur & ED at Capital Angel Network, underscores what’s at stake, “The technology race is one where the countries with the most robust technology win. They will be the most resilient, the most defensible – with future- proofed, competitive economies.” That’s where Flow-Through Shares come in. By directing these proven tax advantages toward qualified Canadian tech companies, we can build the software, hardware, and data platforms that allow Canada to process and add value to its minerals at home – creating jobs and retaining intellectual property. There’s a precedent for this. Every successful expansion of FTS – into oil, gas, renewables – created new investor classes who became repeat participants. Peter Nicholson Jr., President of WEALTH (WCPD Inc.), knows this story well, explaining, “Innovation Flow- Through will add more credibility and enhance the reputation of the entire Flow- Through industry – creating a whole new generation of Flow-Through buyers for both technology and mining.” Ottawa agrees that it’s time to act. The Honourable Evan Solomon, Canada’s new Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, put it bluntly in his first speech in June: “We have stagnant growth, we have low productivity, and we have a massive opportunity to do something about it… So, we need to encourage them (smaller companies) with tax credits, and flow-through shares and other ways to start the flywheel, not just of investment but of adoption.” Paul Labarge, Ottawa tax lawyer, co- founder of Labarge Weinstein LLP, and a national leader in tech M&A, agrees, adding, “For too long, government has provided grants and taken the view that tech is doing okay. Well, just imagine what tech could do with new investments chosen by investors rather than government. Tax lawyers, venture capitalists, business groups, and tech industry analysts all recognize the power of Flow-Through Shares to supercharge Canada’s innovation economy.” This is a nation-building opportunity. Just like the 1972 Canada-Russia hockey series, where Paul Henderson’s goal changed the course of hockey history, Canada now faces a moment when we need to score an economic goal. Henderson’s goal didn’t come easily – it took three attempts for Henderson to score, but it was a victory that united the country and solidified its place in history. The Flow-Through Shares (FTS) initiative is Canada’s opportunity to write the future of our tech economy, innovation, and national sovereignty. Canada cannot afford to wait or hesitate – this moment is now. To underscore this point, J. Wayne Gudbranson, CEO of Branham Group Inc., publisher of The Branham300, and hockey dad to Erik and Alexander Gudbranson, reflects on the Canada- Russia series and draws this parallel: “In that historic series it wasn’t about doing three things, it was about making the right move at the right time. For Canada, the one thing mining leaders need to do today is simple: Join the coalition at www. CanFlowThrough.com and add your voice. Let’s score this goal for Canada’s future – together.” M DAVID PERRY IS A SEASONED EXECUTIVE SEARCH PROFESSIONAL BASED IN OTTAWA. WITH FOUR DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, HE HAS AUTHORED NINE BOOKS ON LEADERSHIP SEARCH AND JOB HUNTING. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL NICKNAMED HIM THE “ROGUE RECRUITER” FOR HIS UNCONVENTIONAL AND INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO TALENT ACQUISITION. HIS NEW BOOK: REVOLUTIONS NEED LEADERS, IS AN EXPOSE ON RECRUITING INDUSTRY 4.0 LEADERS, PARTICULARLY AT THE C-SUITE.16 For daily news follow CMM on Facebook and X FEATURE By Joanne Sallay, President & CEO, Teachers on Call Tutoring Education as a Catalyst in Modern Mining: How Tutoring is Opening Career Pathways for Students ’ll be the first to admit I’m not your typical contributor to Canadian Mining Magazine. I’m not a geologist, engineer, or industry executive. I come from the world of education, as President & CEO of Teachers on Call, an in-home and online tutoring service since 1984, known for providing one-on-one curriculum-based support by provincially certified teachers for elementary and high school students from kindergarten to grade 12 across Canada. But as fate would have it, I’ve been called something unexpected in recent months: an accidental advocate for educating students and teachers about the mining industry. In the article that follows, I’ll explain how this unlikely intersection came to be and the implications for the future. In particular, I’ll talk about how education can serve as a long-term solution to one of the greatest challenges facing the sector: a significant shortage of skilled trades and professionals. This includes the growing difficulty of attracting and retaining talent, especially as demand for critical minerals continues to rise. This journey started far from mine sites, in living rooms with laptops shortly after the pandemic in spring of 2022. Through the Ontario Learning Recovery Action Plan, launched in response to COVID-19 The selected participants were immersed in modern mining, something few educators ever get to experience. Visit us online at www.CanadianMiningMagazine.com 17 and funded by the Ministry of Education when the Honourable Stephen Lecce was Minister of Education (now Minister of Energy and Mines), my company partnered with five Ontario school boards to provide free tutoring to thousands of deserving students across the province who met specific criteria for participation. The program focused on priority learners from diverse backgrounds, including financially vulnerable students living in shelters and government housing in major urban centres. While the academic needs among low-socioeconomic students in cities like Toronto didn’t come as a surprise, what did shock me was the extent of the learning challenges in rural and remote communities. When that funding ended, I couldn’t stop thinking about the students in these remote areas. How could we reach them again? Why were they just as behind, or even more behind, than the city kids from vulnerable neighbourhoods? I believe it all came down to one thing – access. Many of these students lacked basic access to educational supports like tutoring or nearby high schools – the kind of access many urban dwellers don’t think twice about. That’s when a trusted mentor and friend, the Honourable Lisa Raitt (former Minister of Natural Resources), encouraged me to explore the mining industry as a potential partner in education. It was sound advice. She understood firsthand the industry’s vested interest in seeing students in northern Ontario and Canada succeed in school and contribute back to their local communities when they reach adulthood. Like any good student, I did my homework. I began by attending the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention and joined the Toronto Chapter of Women in Mining, where I participated in lunch-and-learn sessions hosted by industry leaders like Mary McKenzie of Odgers. Through PDAC and Women in Mining, I learned a great deal about the pressing challenges facing the industry – many of which were new to me, but familiar to this magazine’s readers. I quickly realized that some of the biggest issues in modern mining could benefit from cross-sector collaboration with industries like mine. Contrary to what many in the industry believe, I don’t think teachers have a negative perception of mining, rather it’s simply not on their radar. That’s when I began my journey to help “teach the teachers,” working to bring more awareness and understanding of the industry to the education sector. As part of that effort, I began inviting teachers and principals through my education network, in partnership with Mining Matters, to join me at PDAC so they could gain their own understanding of the sector and bring those insights back to their students and classrooms. These educators represented a wide range of grade levels, subject areas, and school communities – from elementary educators to secondary teachers in science, business, and co-op education. Each one brought a unique lens to the experience, discovering new ways to connect modern mining to the curriculum and open the eyes of students (and their parents!) to career pathways they may have never considered. My journey continued in August 2024 with the Mining & Mineral Resources Educator Tour in Gogama, Ontario, as part of the Ontario Mining Association’s This is Mine Life campaign, coordinated in partnership with Mining Matters, the Canadian Ecology Centre, and hosted by IAMGOLD. We toured and lived at Côté Gold Mine, which is one of the newest and most technologically advanced mining operations in Canada. You can watch a YouTube video about this visit at www. youtube.com/watch?v=TLUGr5hBY3M. The tour brought together educators from diverse backgrounds and geographies across Ontario. Just 20 of us were selected to participate, creating an immersive and focused learning experience that few educators ever get. It was a powerful opportunity to see how modern mining intersects with education, community, and future careers. For anyone interested in reading more about this field trip, I encourage you to search online for my personal accounts, which were shared in the Teachers on Call corporate blog (www.teachersoncall.ca/site/blog- toronto-gta-tutor – September 29, 2024) and this magazine’s blog (www. canadianminingmagazine.com/blog – January 16, 2025 ) As well, additional resources are available for youth and for educators through This is Mine Life (www. talentegg.ca/employer/this-is-mine-life). This visit was captured on video, and for anyone who views it, a pivotal moment for me was when former Coté Gold’s VP & General Manager, Bryan Wilson, told me, “We hire every discipline out of college and university – tell your students to come work for us.” His message stuck with me. The opportunity is real, but it starts with education. Students need to graduate high school first, but they also need appropriate guidance and tools to succeed in prerequisite courses like math and English. I’m proud to share that this conversation helped inspire the pilot tutoring initiative Teachers on Call has launched together with IAMGOLD’s Côté Gold Mine – one In 2024, Joanne Sallay, along with 20 other educators from throughout Ontario, toured and lived at Côté Gold Mine. Photos courtesy of Joanne Sallay.18 For daily news follow CMM on Facebook and X of the most advanced mining operations in the world and now a trailblazer in partnering on this first-of-its-kind tutoring initiative. This forward-thinking campaign is more than strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; it’s a targeted educational solution. Designed to support students in local and Indigenous communities near mine sites, the initiative provides tutoring to help youth stay in school, complete their credits, and build confidence for the future. These students are encouraged to succeed with the knowledge that there are ample opportunities to find meaningful employment where they are, without the need to leave their local communities. It also supports hardworking employees’ families, enhancing recruitment, retention, and community ties. This is education as a tool for workforce development, economic reconciliation, and community building. And it’s just the beginning. Mining doesn’t just need trucks and cutting-edge technology – it needs strong graduates. Through early investment in academic support, the sector can help build the pipeline of skilled, motivated talent it will rely on for decades to come. As someone who stumbled into this space through tutoring, I now believe deeply in the power of cross-sector collaboration. The future of mining involves more than sophisticated machinery: it requires the minds of students who are not only ready and able, but who are inspired to pursue careers in modern mining and apply their talents to help shape the industry’s future. M JOANNE SALLAY IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF TEACHERS ON CALL (WWW.TEACHERSONCALL.CA), AN ONLINE AND IN-HOME TUTORING SERVICE THAT PROVIDES PERSONALIZED LEARNING SUPPORT BY PROVINCIALLYCERTIFIED TEACHERS ACROSS CANADA. SHE IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO EXPANDING ACCESS TO EQUITABLE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN RURAL, REMOTE, AND NORTHERN COMMUNITIES, WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON COLLABORATING WITH LIKE-MINDED PARTNERS TO ACHIEVE THIS MISSION. The hope was that teachers like the 20 who participated would bring back the knowledge of what they learned, and the endless career opportunities available, to students, parents, and fellow educators.Next >