Meet the Miners 2026: Mining in the Spotlight at a Defining Moment for Ontario
On November 2, 2026, the Ontario Mining Association (OMA) hosted its 48th annual Meet the Miners at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, bringing together government leaders, elected officials, civil servants, mining industry executives, OMA members and partner organizations for a day of discussion, collaboration and connection.
This year's theme, “Mining in the Spotlight: A Strategic Sector in a Defining Moment – Building Trust, Shaping Policy, and Advancing Ontario's Mining Advantage,” reflected the growing recognition of mining as a strategic priority and the opportunity to advance Ontario's position as a global mining leader.
Kicking off the morning ahead of the formal Meet the Miners program, the Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, announced the designation of Mayfair Gold's Fenn-Gibb Gold project as the fourth under Ontario's One Project, One Process framework. The announcement marked another milestone in the province's efforts to advance mining projects and build momentum across the sector.
Minister Lecce then joined OMA members to initiate Meet the Miners 2026, reaffirming the government's commitment to mining and recognizing the importance of its ongoing relationship with the industry. Highlighting the progress made to date, he noted that Ontario was “on a roll,” emphasizing the government's focus on reform, delivering meaningful action and listening to industry. He also acknowledged the importance of certainty for the sector, thanked OMA President Priya Tandon and OMA members for their advice, and recognized the frequent engagement between his team and the association. Emphasizing the opportunities ahead, he made it clear that the work was “just getting started.”
The program continued with an OMA Board meeting, chaired by Luc Guimond, Chief Operating Officer of Alamos Gold and OMA Chair, a presentation by Jaime Watt, communications strategist and Founder and Chair of Navigator, and a member-driven pre-budget planning session.
The pre-budget session was an important opportunity for members to share their perspectives and help shape the OMA's 2027 pre-budget submission to the Minister of Finance. Reflecting on the importance of the exercise, OMA Chair Luc Guimond emphasized the value of having members directly involved in shaping the Association's priorities:
“Our advocacy is strongest when it is grounded in the experience and priorities of our members. This pre-budget planning session was an opportunity to bring those perspectives together, identify the issues that matter most across the sector and develop recommendations we can stand behind collectively. By working together, we can ensure the OMA speaks with a clear, unified voice and makes the most of the opportunities ahead to advance Ontario's mining sector.”
The evening reception welcomed political leaders from across Ontario's political spectrum, including Minister Lecce; Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP and Leader of the Official Opposition; Jamie West, MPP for Sudbury and NDP Critic for Labour, Energy and Mines; Ted Hsu, MPP for Kingston and the Islands and Ontario Liberal Critic for Energy, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, and Agriculture and Rural Issues; and Mike Schreiner, MPP and Leader of the Green Party of Ontario.
Their remarks highlighted the broad, all-party recognition of mining's importance to Ontario's economic future. Stiles recognized the expertise and accomplishments of Ontario's miners, noting that “nobody is better at mining than Ontario's miners,” and pointing to the industry's leadership in health and safety and its work building relationships with Indigenous communities. Hsu emphasized the importance of capturing more of mining's economic benefits here at home by turning potential into projects. He also expressed the Ontario Liberal Party's interest, as a party in opposition, in working with government to support the mining industry. Schreiner underscored the cross-party support, noting that all four parties represented in the Legislature support the sector and that “Ontario will not succeed if mining doesn't succeed in this province.” He also welcomed growing public support for mining, recognizing the work Ontario miners are doing to build trust and noting that they set a global standard on Indigenous relations and climate action.
The OMA used Meet the Miners as an opportunity to share updates on several initiatives aimed at strengthening the industry and its connection with the public. Through its This Is Mining and This Is Northern Life campaigns, funded through a partnership between the OMA, the Government of Canada, the Ontario Government and Employment Ontario, the association is telling the story of modern mining, highlighting career opportunities, showcasing Northern Ontario communities and connecting more people with the industry. The sixth season of This Is Mining: The Podcast brought together perspectives from industry and policymakers on mining's essential role in Canada's economic future and security, exploring the timely question, Can Canada Actually Build?
The association also highlighted Bring It to the Surface, a campaign led by the Canadian Diamond Drillers Association, with the OMA as lead sponsor. Focused on mental health and psychological safety, the initiative encourages mining companies to make mental health resources more accessible and strengthen support for workers and their families.
As OMA President Priya Tandon noted, these are important opportunities to build on growing public support for mining. Citing May 2026 polling commissioned by the Mining Association of Canada, she highlighted that 82 percent of Ontarians have a favourable view of mining companies operating in Canada, while 88 percent believe a strong mining sector is essential to Canada's long-term economic health:
“Ontario's mining sector is at a defining moment. With strong public support and growing recognition of our importance to the economy, we have an important opportunity to build on this momentum. But we cannot take it for granted. We must work together to strengthen trust, ensure our collective voice is heard and demonstrate the vital role modern mining plays in building a stronger Ontario.”
The 48th annual Meet the Miners provided a valuable opportunity for industry and government to exchange perspectives, strengthen relationships and advance discussions on the policies and partnerships needed to support a competitive, responsible and thriving mining sector in Ontario.
The OMA sincerely thanks everyone who attended, contributed to the discussions and helped make this year's event a success. We extend our appreciation to our event sponsors for their generous support and continued commitment to Ontario's mining sector. Their generosity and involvement help make important opportunities like Meet the Miners possible. We look forward to continuing these conversations and welcoming everyone back next year!
