Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Mines (2024-25)
The 2024-2025 Expenditure Estimates set out details of the operating and capital spending requirements of the Ministry of Mines for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2024.
Summary
As the ministry for the provincial minerals sector, the Ministry of Mines (MINES) strives to support Ontario’s economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and quality of life for the people of Ontario. MINES promotes economic growth and job creation by supporting the mines and minerals sector; conducts monitoring, research and planning for the management and use of Ontario’s mineral resources; and develops legislation, policies and implements programs to regulate the sustainable and responsible use and management of Ontario’s mineral resources in a manner consistent with the recognition and affirmation of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights (including the duty to consult). MINES’ Ontario Geological Survey promotes investment and exploration by providing geoscience information to clients on Ontario’s mineral resources. This supports a range of provincial development, planning, environmental, energy, and climate change policy priorities. The Ministry ensures safe, environmentally sound mineral development and rehabilitation of mining lands including the management of Ontario’s Crown Lands and related land tenure for mining purposes. The Critical Minerals Strategy is a comprehensive, five-year blueprint to strengthen Ontario’s position in supplying critical minerals, while supporting the transition to a greener, sustainable global economy. Initiatives within the strategy like the Ontario Junior Exploration Program and the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund help encourage exploration and innovation, grow the industry, and create new jobs.
MINES supports policy and program development for the Ring of Fire. The Ministry works with Indigenous communities, mining companies and other partners to encourage responsible, sustainable development. The Ministry engages with Indigenous communities to fulfill the Crown’s legal duty to consult, to inform the development and implementation of mining policies, programs, and initiatives, and to increase Indigenous partnerships and participation in mining sectors. MINES ensures Indigenous communities share in the benefits of resource development from mining through the Resource Revenue Sharing for Mining program.
Ministry program summary
| Vote | Program | Estimates 2024-25 $ | Estimates 2023-24 $ | Difference between 2024-25 and 2023-24 $ | Actual 2022-23 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||||
| 4901 | Ministry Administration Program | 7,302,700 | 6,009,200 | 1,293,500 | 6,358,060 |
| 4902 | Mines and Minerals Program | 190,923,400 | 155,410,300 | 35,513,100 | 138,195,229 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 198,226,100 | 161,419,500 | 36,806,600 | 144,553,289 | |
| Statutory appropriations | 466,014 | 466,014 | - | 79,398 | |
| Ministry total operating expense | 198,692,114 | 161,885,514 | 36,806,600 | 144,632,687 | |
| Consolidation Adjustment - Ontario Clean Water Agency | - | - | - | (2,145,119) | |
| Consolidation Adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio | (3,077,900) | (3,287,000) | 209,100 | (3,331,177) | |
| Total including consolidation and other adjustments | 195,614,214 | 158,598,514 | 37,015,700 | 139,156,391 | |
Operating assets | |||||
| 4901 | Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| 4902 | Mines and Minerals Program | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total operating assets to be voted | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - | |
| Ministry total operating assets | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - | |
Capital expense | |||||
| 4901 | Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| 4902 | Mines and Minerals Program | 12,802,000 | 14,014,500 | (1,212,500) | 94,606,291 |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 12,803,000 | 14,015,500 | (1,212,500) | 94,606,291 | |
| Statutory appropriations | 709,500 | 639,500 | 70,000 | 530,108 | |
| Ministry total capital expense | 13,512,500 | 14,655,000 | (1,142,500) | 95,136,399 | |
| Consolidation Adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio | - | (993,600) | 993,600 | (1,441,688) | |
| Total including consolidation and other adjustments | 13,512,500 | 13,661,400 | (148,900) | 93,694,711 | |
Capital assets | |||||
| 4901 | Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| 4902 | Mines and Minerals Program | 601,000 | 601,000 | - | 800,000 |
| Total capital assets to be voted | 602,000 | 602,000 | - | 800,000 | |
| Ministry total capital assets | 602,000 | 602,000 | - | 800,000 | |
| Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets) | 209,126,714 | 172,259,914 | 36,866,800 | 232,851,102 | |
Reconciliation to previously published data
| Operating expense | Estimates 2023-24 $ | Actual 2022-23 $ |
|---|---|---|
| Total operating expense previously published | 161,885,514 | - |
| Government reorganization | ||
Transfer of functions from other ministries | - | 144,835,429 |
Transfer of functions to other ministries | - | (202,742) |
| Restated total operating expense | 161,885,514 | 144,632,687 |
| Capital expense | Estimates 2023-24 $ | Actual 2022-23 $ |
|---|---|---|
| Total capital expense previously published | 14,655,000 | - |
| Government reorganization | ||
Transfer of functions from other ministries | - | 95,136,399 |
| Restated total capital expense | 14,655,000 | 95,136,399 |
| Capital assets | Estimates 2023-24 $ | Actual 2022-23 $ |
|---|---|---|
| Total capital assets previously published | 602,000 | - |
| Government reorganization | ||
Transfer of functions from other ministries | - | 800,000 |
| Restated total capital assets | 602,000 | 800,000 |
Ministry Administration Program - Vote 4901
This program provides executive direction as well as strategic business and resource planning services to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of ministry programs. It supports ministry operations through the provision of advice and services in the areas of human resources, financial planning, accounting and administration, and professional support services such as legal and audit services. It also provides core strategic support in the areas of corporate policy and communications.
Vote summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2024-25 $ | Estimates 2023-24 $ | Difference between 2024-25 and 2023-24 $ | Actual 2022-23 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||||
| 1 | Ministry Administration, operating expense | 7,302,700 | 6,009,200 | 1,293,500 | 6,358,060 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 7,302,700 | 6,009,200 | 1,293,500 | 6,358,060 | |
| S | Minister’s Salary, the Executive Council Act | 47,841 | 47,841 | - | 35,093 |
| S | Parliamentary Assistant’s Salary, the Executive Council Act | 16,173 | 16,173 | - | 11,574 |
| S | Bad Debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total statutory appropriations | 65,014 | 65,014 | - | 46,667 | |
| Total operating expense | 7,367,714 | 6,074,214 | 1,293,500 | 6,404,727 | |
Operating assets | |||||
| 2 | Ministry Administration, operating assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total operating assets to be voted | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Total operating assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
Capital expense | |||||
| 3 | Ministry Administration, capital expense | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| S | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total statutory appropriations | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Total capital expense | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - | |
Capital assets | |||||
| 4 | Ministry Administration, capital assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total capital assets to be voted | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Total capital assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- Item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ | Amount $ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | ||||
| 4901-1 | Ministry Administration, operating expense | |||
Salaries and wages | 4,697,200 | |||
Employee benefits | 540,700 | |||
Transportation and communication | 267,200 | |||
Services | 7,545,000 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 120,200 | |||
| Subtotal | 13,170,300 | |||
| Less: Recoveries | 5,867,600 | |||
| Total operating expense to be voted | 7,302,700 | |||
| Sub-Items: | ||||
| Main Office | ||||
Salaries and wages | 1,101,900 | |||
Employee benefits | 144,800 | |||
Transportation and communication | 92,000 | |||
Services | 356,000 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 34,400 | 1,729,100 | ||
| Finance and Administrative Services | ||||
Salaries and wages | 1,308,800 | |||
Employee benefits | 114,600 | |||
Transportation and communication | 68,000 | |||
Services | 5,251,000 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 39,800 | |||
Subtotal | 6,782,200 | |||
Less: Recoveries | 5,000,000 | 1,782,200 | ||
| Human Resources | ||||
Salaries and wages | 487,400 | |||
Employee benefits | 116,800 | |||
Transportation and communication | 25,200 | |||
Services | 49,600 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 13,100 | 692,100 | ||
| Communication Services | ||||
Salaries and wages | 715,400 | |||
Employee benefits | 70,500 | |||
Transportation and communication | 19,300 | |||
Services | 153,300 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 11,000 | 969,500 | ||
| Analysis and Planning | ||||
Salaries and wages | 1,083,700 | |||
Employee benefits | 94,000 | |||
Transportation and communication | 48,200 | |||
Services | 44,700 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 14,400 | |||
Subtotal | 1,285,000 | |||
Less: Recoveries | 631,700 | 653,300 | ||
| Legal Services | ||||
Transportation and communication | 14,500 | |||
Services | 1,260,300 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 7,500 | 1,282,300 | ||
| Information Systems | ||||
Services | 430,100 | |||
Less: Recoveries | 235,900 | 194,200 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | 7,302,700 | |||
| Statutory appropriations | ||||
| Statutory | Minister’s Salary, the Executive Council Act | 47,841 | ||
| Statutory | Parliamentary Assistant’s Salary, the Executive Council Act | 16,173 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | ||||
Other transactions | ||||
| Statutory | Bad Debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | ||
| Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program | 7,367,714 | |||
Operating assets | ||||
| 4901-2 | Ministry Administration, operating assets | |||
Loans and Investments | 1,000 | |||
| Total operating assets to be voted | 1,000 | |||
| Total operating assets for Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 | |||
Capital expense | ||||
| 4901-3 | Ministry Administration, capital expense | |||
Other transactions | 1,000 | |||
| Total capital expense to be voted | 1,000 | |||
| Statutory appropriations | ||||
Other transactions | ||||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | 1,000 | ||
| Total capital expense for Ministry Administration Program | 2,000 | |||
Capital assets | ||||
| 4901-4 | Ministry Administration, capital assets | |||
Machinery and equipment - asset costs | 1,000 | |||
| Total capital assets to be voted | 1,000 | |||
| Total capital assets for Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 | |||
Mines and Minerals Program - Vote 4902
This program encourages, promotes, and facilitates the sustained economic benefits of Ontario's mineral resources through its oversight of Ontario's mineral exploration and development sector. It promotes a strong, safe and sustainable Ontario by administering Ontario's Mining Act in a fair and consistent manner, to ensure sustainable and responsible development of our mineral resources. This involves ensuring equitable public access to Crown mineral rights, fair and efficient management of Ontario's mining lands as well as ensuring the safe, environmentally sound mineral development and rehabilitation of mining lands. It also has responsibility for encouraging and facilitating Indigenous participation in economic opportunities associated with Ontario's mining sector in a way that is respectful of Indigenous rights and culture and meets Ontario's Duty to Consult obligations.
This program generates and disseminates geoscientific data that attracts and guides mineral sector investment and informs a broad range of government policy priorities.
The program delivers on the commitments in the Critical Minerals Strategy including efforts to connect Ontario’s abundant critical minerals deposits, with our world-class manufacturing sector. The goal is to elevate and secure Ontario’s place as a globally competitive jurisdiction that is ready to meet increasing global demand for critical minerals.
This program also provides support for policy and program development and implementation on a range of issues and opportunities with respect to development in the Ring of Fire. A dedicated team works with all parties involved, consulting with Northerners including Indigenous people and the mining community to encourage the region's responsible, sustainable development.
Vote summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates 2024-25 $ | Estimates 2023-24 $ | Difference between 2024-25 and 2023-24 $ | Actual 2022-23 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||||
| 1 | Mineral Sector Competitiveness | 190,923,400 | 155,410,300 | 35,513,100 | 138,195,229 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | 190,923,400 | 155,410,300 | 35,513,100 | 138,195,229 | |
| S | Bad Debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 401,000 | 401,000 | - | 32,731 |
| Total statutory appropriations | 401,000 | 401,000 | - | 32,731 | |
| Total operating expense | 191,324,400 | 155,811,300 | 35,513,100 | 138,227,960 | |
Operating assets | |||||
| 3 | Mines and Minerals, operating assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - |
| Total operating assets to be voted | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
| Total operating assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | - | - | |
Capital expense | |||||
| 2 | Mineral Sector Competitiveness, capital expense | 9,952,500 | 14,012,500 | (4,060,000) | 8,594,291 |
| 5 | Environmental Remediation for Mining, capital expense | 2,849,500 | 2,000 | 2,847,500 | 86,012,000 |
| Total capital expense to be voted | 12,802,000 | 14,014,500 | (1,212,500) | 94,606,291 | |
| S | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | 708,500 | 638,500 | 70,000 | 530,108 |
| Total statutory appropriations | 708,500 | 638,500 | 70,000 | 530,108 | |
| Total capital expense | 13,510,500 | 14,653,000 | (1,142,500) | 95,136,399 | |
Capital assets | |||||
| 4 | Mines and Minerals, capital assets | 601,000 | 601,000 | - | 800,000 |
| Total capital assets to be voted | 601,000 | 601,000 | - | 800,000 | |
| Total capital assets | 601,000 | 601,000 | - | 800,000 | |
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- Item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount $ | Amount $ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | ||||
| 4902-1 | Mineral Sector Competitiveness | |||
Salaries and wages | 25,615,600 | |||
Employee benefits | 3,412,100 | |||
Transportation and communication | 1,093,500 | |||
Services | 16,773,700 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 1,454,700 | |||
Transfer payments | ||||
Reporting Ontario’s Mining Activities | 85,000 | |||
Focused Flow-through Share Tax Credit | 18,147,200 | |||
Ontario Junior Exploration Program | 10,000,000 | |||
Critical Minerals Innovation Fund | 5,000,000 | |||
Mineral Development and Investment | 100,000 | |||
Indigenous Economic Development | 60,571,400 | |||
Resource Revenue Sharing for Mining | 48,570,200 | |||
Mapping Ontario’s Geological Opportunities | 100,000 | 142,573,800 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | 190,923,400 | |||
| Statutory appropriations | ||||
Other transactions | ||||
| Statutory | Bad Debt expense, the Financial Administration Act | 401,000 | ||
| Total operating expense for Mines and Minerals Program | 191,324,400 | |||
Operating assets | ||||
| 4902-3 | Mines and Minerals, operating assets | |||
Deposits and prepaid expenses | 1,000 | |||
| Total operating assets to be voted | 1,000 | |||
| Total operating assets for Mines and Minerals Program | 1,000 | |||
Capital expense | ||||
| 4902-2 | Mineral Sector Competitiveness, capital expense | |||
Services | 5,530,500 | |||
Supplies and equipment | 260,000 | |||
Transfer payments | ||||
Matawa Broadband | 4,160,000 | |||
Indigenous Opportunities in Abandoned Mine Rehabilitation | 1,000 | 4,161,000 | ||
Other transactions | 1,000 | |||
| Total capital expense to be voted | 9,952,500 | |||
| 4902-5 | Environmental Remediation for Mining, capital expense | |||
Services | 2,848,500 | |||
Transfer payments | ||||
Indigenous Partnerships - Environmental Remediation for Abandoned Mines | 1,000 | |||
| Total capital expense to be voted | 2,849,500 | |||
| Statutory appropriations | ||||
Other transactions | ||||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | 708,500 | ||
| Total capital expense for Mines and Minerals Program | 13,510,500 | |||
Capital assets | ||||
| 4902-4 | Mines and Minerals, capital assets | |||
Machinery and equipment - asset costs | 601,000 | |||
| Total capital assets to be voted | 601,000 | |||
| Total capital assets for Mines and Minerals Program | 601,000 | |||
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Total operating expense includes statutory appropriations, special warrants and total operating expense to be voted.
- footnote[2] Back to paragraph Total capital expense includes statutory appropriations, special warrants and total capital expense to be voted.
- footnote[3] Back to paragraph Total capital assets includes statutory appropriations, special warrants and total capital assets to be voted.