Sudbury BEV conference highlights mining, trade tensions

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Canada-U.S. trade war looms over electric vehicle conference

BEV conference kicks off in Sudbury

Hundreds from Canada’s mining and automotive sectors gathered in Greater Sudbury this week for the fourth annual Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) In Depth: Mines to Mobility conference, where geopolitical tensions and workforce challenges dominated discussions.

The event opened with remarks from Priya Tandon, president of the Ontario Mining Association, who emphasized the need to attract younger workers to an aging industry.

“We have a lot of folks retiring. We have a workforce that’s aging,” Tandon said.

“We want to ensure that the 22,000 people working in mining right now continues and grows, and we attract youth to the sector as well.”

Trade relations between Canada and the U.S. were a key focus, with industry leaders urging diversification. Tandon stressed mining’s economic importance amid ongoing federal-provincial trade talks, while Daniel Breton, president of Electric Mobility Canada, called for expanded global partnerships.

“We’ve been so focused on sending natural resources south of the border,” Breton said. “Now we have to refine them, transport them locally, and look to Europe and other markets.”

Ontario Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford also spoke, highlighting the need for consultation with First Nations as the province moves forward with Bill 5.

“The debate is healthy, and hopefully it stays that way,” Rickford said.

“Once consultations are done, we think we have the building blocks for solid, substantive participation with First Nations.”

Cambrian College, a conference organizer, estimated 300 attendees, consistent with past years.

The event concluded Thursday.