Toronto, ON [March 02, 2026] – Against the backdrop of Canada’s largest mining conference, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), the Government of Ontario highlighted $104 million in investments to date through the Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative, delivered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), accelerating the adoption and commercialization of advanced technologies across Ontario’s economy.

Today, the Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, announced new milestones demonstrating how critical technology investments are helping Ontario’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grow, innovate, and compete globally, including within the province’s globally recognized mining sector.

The event also featured a keynote address from Rachel Wallace, Head of R&D Strategy and IP at Vale Base Metals, highlighting the role of critical technologies, like AI, in driving the future of mining.

“Our government is proud to be working with partners like the Ontario Centre of Innovation to ensure Ontario SMEs are harnessing the transformative potential of critical technologies,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through the Critical Industrial Technologies initiative, we’re advancing the province’s leadership in strategic sectors, strengthening domestic supply chains, and fostering the conditions for a competitive, resilient and self-sustaining economy.”

Led by OCI, the CIT initiative supports Ontario SMEs in accelerating the adoption and commercialization of critical technologies including AI, 5G, blockchain, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and robotics across the advanced manufacturing, agri-food, construction, and mining sectors.

CIT investments to date:

• $41.2 million is being deployed into projects with 362 companies, with more projects being approved everyday
• Leveraged by $62.9 million in matching industry contributions and growing
• Total investment of $104.1 million supporting SMEs to adopt and commercialize critical technologies

Sector breakdown:

• $11.1 million invested in Advanced Manufacturing projects (matched by $18 million in industry contributions)
• $6.7 million invested in Agri-Food projects (matched by $9.3 million in industry contributions)
• $10.6 million invested in Construction projects (matched by $16.5 million in industry contributions)
• $5.9 million invested in Mining projects (matched by $8.7 million in industry contr private funding)
• $6.9 million invested in Technology Development Sites to support SMEs to test, validate and showcase new products and solutions (matched by $10.4 million in industry contributions).

Technology breakdown:

• 85% of projects focused on Artificial Intelligence
• 303 SMEs participating in AI projects
• $28.6 million invested in AI, matched by $44.5 million in industry funding.

Overall, the initiative has supported 330 projects across five program streams focused on critical technology adoption, development, commercialization, talent development, and technology access.

“Ontario’s innovation economy is strengthened when industry, government, and innovators work together,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation. “Strategic investments through the Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative accelerate technology adoption, reduce commercialization barriers, and position SMEs to compete global while delivering impactful solutions across key sectors such as mining.”

The CIT initiative is focused on talent development, product innovation, and sector transformation projects that accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies across Ontario’s economy. The initiative continues to strengthen collaboration between Ontario industry and innovators while generating measurable economic impact and follow-on private investment.

“As Ontario’s mining sector evolves, the integration of critical technologies is essential to improving productivity, safety, sustainability, and global competitiveness,” said Raed Kadri, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Business Development and Head of OVIN at OCI. “Through CIT, we are supporting companies as they move from innovation to commercialization, leading to stronger supply chains, the creation of good-paying jobs, and securing Ontario’s position as a global leader in industrial transformation.”

For more information about the Critical Industrial Technologies initiative and Technology Development Sites, visit: https://www.oc-innovation.ca/programs/cit/.

About the Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative
Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), available to Ontario SMEs to accelerate the commercialization and adoption of critical technologies — 5G, AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and robotics — across key sectors including Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction, and Mining. Focusing on talent development, product innovation, and sector transformation projects, CIT is building the future of industry in Ontario.  For more information about the Critical Industrial Technologies initiative and the Technology Development Sites, please visit OCI’s CIT Program Page.

Media
Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca