Canada is one of the world’s leading mining countries. It has a long tradition of mineral exploration and resource development that has shaped both its national economy and the growth of many regional communities. In 2023, the industry contributed more than $71.9 billion to Canada’s GDP (4%) and supported over 711,000 jobs directly and indirectly, including more than 17,300 Indigenous workers (11% of the total workforce). This makes the sector a key pillar of the country’s economic structure and global competitiveness.

 

However, the environmental challenges associated with mining activities are real. These include the effective planning of site closure and restoration (with thousands of abandoned mines across the country), the management of tailings, water management, and reducing impacts on biodiversity.

 

Mining operations can also raise social challenges in host regions, particularly regarding coexistence with local communities. Furthermore, while the mining industry is a major employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada, it must continue to play a role in reconciliation and build effective partnerships to ensure equitable benefit sharing.

 

Recognizing that mining remains both a key economic driver and a subject of social and environmental concern, this study provides a data-driven perspective on public opinion to support reflection on the social acceptability of mining activities.

Structuring Community Relations on Solid Foundations

By relying on rigorous data and a national approach, Transfert Environnement et Société leverages its expertise to support consistent, credible community engagement that is aligned with regional realities.

A total of 5,490 questionnaires were completed, of which 4,811 were retained after data cleaning for analysis. The minimum age required to participate was 18 years old. Data were collected across all Canadian provinces.

 

Major mining provinces such as British Columbia and Quebec, as well as samples of participants from both mining and non-mining regions, were specifically targeted to allow meaningful comparisons within and between provinces. Mining regions were defined as areas with active mining operations or significant mineral exploration activities.

 

The questionnaire assessed public opinion on a range of topics related to the mining industry in Canada, its relationship with the Canadian population, and the transition toward renewable energy.

 

The 2025 edition aims to produce reliable, comparable, and strategically actionable indicators of social acceptability in Canada.

 

Data Collection and Analysis Process

The approach includes the following steps:

• Design of a structured questionnaire
• Recruitment of respondents based on quotas
• Administration of the online survey to a representative panel
• Data cleaning
• Statistical analysis
• Strategic interpretation of results

The analyses conducted demonstrate that the sample closely reflects the national Canadian population, using demographic benchmarks drawn from the 2021 census by Statistics Canada.

Responses were measured on a scale from 1 to 5 and analyzed using recognized statistical tools, ensuring robust data on the social performance of mining projects.

 

Indicators

The study notably analyzes:

• community perception of mining projects
• the level of social acceptability
• trust in regulatory frameworks
• the importance of environmental and participatory actions

The 2025 results show a generally moderate and conditional level of social acceptability. While the public recognizes the importance of the mining sector, strong expectations remain regarding environmental protection, trust, and governance. These data on the social performance of mining projects provide a national benchmark to better understand community perceptions and guide decision-making.

 

Key Findings: Support, but Under Conditions

• 75%+ consider the mining industry essential (jobs, regional development, energy transition)
• 60%+ believe the benefits outweigh the costs
• 70% consider critical minerals essential to Canada’s energy future

 

Points of Attention: Trust and Environmental Expectations

The barometer results reveal several significant concerns related to mining activities and their environmental impacts.

Nearly 45% of respondents associate mining activity with climate change, while almost half express concerns about water protection and land restoration after mining operations.

Issues related to governance and community participation also remain sensitive. For example, 44% of respondents believe that the influence of Indigenous communities in authorization processes remains insufficient.

Beyond these specific concerns, the barometer also highlights three major factors influencing the level of trust in the mining industry:

Transfert Environnement et Société oversees the deployment of the Social Acceptability Barometer in Canada, in partnership with Voconiq, with the objective of providing a rigorous national assessment of social acceptability in the mining sector. Concretely, Transfert designs and implements the methodology and then translates the results into strategic insights that support decision-making.This expertise is reflected in particular through:

• the design of the methodological framework and measurement tools
• the presentation of results at strategic events
• dissemination to the media and key stakeholders
• analysis of perceptions and trust dynamics in the field

Through its expertise in coexistence and social performance, and its community engagement approach, Transfert supports companies and governments in better understanding expectations, anticipating social risks, and strengthening trust-based relationships with local and Indigenous communities.

To learn more about our approach to social acceptability, see Our Expertise

The Barometer stands out through its structured approach and the breadth of data it mobilizes to better understand the dynamics of social acceptability.

• The first structured national overview of social acceptability in Canada’s mining sector
• Comparable data across provinces and between mining and non-mining regions
• A cross-cutting analysis of key issues, integrating economic, environmental, governance, and trust dimensions
• A tool designed to inform strategic decisions, not only to support communications

 

The Barometer transforms national results into practical decisions. It supports the interpretation of data, helps anticipate social risks, and assists organizations in making informed decisions regarding community engagement. By making expectations and concerns visible, it enables organizations to steer their strategy rather than react to issues after they arise.Concretely, the Social Acceptability Barometer: Canadian Mining Sector makes it possible to:

• Guide decision-making and prioritize actions
• Adjust community engagement strategies based on public perceptions and concerns
• Secure projects by identifying social risks early
• Strengthen social acceptability by grounding decisions in factual data

« We hope that the various stakeholders surrounding the mining industry will draw inspiration from these results to influence their action plans and improve the level of trust and acceptability the public has toward the mining industry. In our Barometer, there are avenues for solutions not only for governments, but also for industry players, First Nations, and the general public. » – Marc-Olivier Fortin, Director of Partnership Development

The Barometer is intended for organizations that must understand and integrate the social dimension into decisions related to the mining sector. It serves as a strategic tool to evaluate the national context of social acceptability and to position a project within a measured national opinion climate across Canada.Designed for industry stakeholders, organizations, professionals, researchers, and public decision-makers, this publication aims to support reflection on the evolution of governance practices and dialogue frameworks surrounding mining development, without adopting a normative or prescriptive stance.

 

Industry Stakeholders and Project Developers

The Barometer is particularly relevant for:

• mining companies and exploration firms
• project developers in the planning or authorization phases
• teams responsible for community engagement and public affairs
• elected officials, government bodies, and policy decision-makers

It enables organizations to align their strategies with observed trends and anticipate public expectations.

 

Communities, Citizen Groups, Organizations, and Indigenous Communities

Local communities, citizen groups, organizations, and Indigenous communities involved in projects or partnerships related to mining activities can also use the Barometer as a reference tool to better understand the perceptions, expectations, and concerns expressed toward the sector.

The Barometer does not replace local consultations or on-the-ground participation processes. Rather, it provides a national snapshot of perceptions measured in 2025, helping to contextualize decisions and support strategic reflection.

It is not intended to grant a “social licence to operate” nor to replace the evaluation of a specific project. Instead, it serves as an analytical tool to better understand trust dynamics, community expectations, and the trends influencing the social acceptability of mining projects.

 

National Media Coverage and Transfert’s Leadership

The Barometer results attracted the attention of national and regional media, confirming the importance of recent developments in the mining sector and the relevance of a data-driven national overview. This coverage helps disseminate the findings of the 2025 edition to decision-makers, stakeholders, and the general public.
Published articles (selection):

• La Presse – La Presse – Quebecers more skeptical toward the mining industry
• Canadian Mining Journal – National survey unearths Canadians’ views on mining industry
• Mining Weekly – Canadians back critical minerals push but demand stronger safeguards
• La Sentinelle – Doutes sur l’acceptabilité sociale dans le secteur minier
• Play 103.7 – Strong support for mining with conditions