On the evolution of electric vehicles and the batteries that are required, obviously we are home to a lot of critical minerals. China has taken a lead in the manufacturing of batteries. More important than batteries is the processing of the minerals and other chemicals required for the manufacturing of batteries. Some parts of Europe have also stepped forward. The United States has seen the implementation of seven or eight multi-billion dollar plants for the manufacturing of batteries.
A couple of years back, there was a meeting of battery manufacturers, mining companies, battery technologies and electric vehicle manufacturers to find out how to develop Canadian companies in this field. That meeting happened in the U.S. Department of Commerce. However, when I look at the Natural Resources Canada website, I do see the listing of 31 critical minerals, but nowhere have I found what our strategy is for fast-tracking the development of everything from mines to mineral processing to technologies to the manufacturing of batteries.
You can say that part of it is with ISED. I understand that. Don't we think that we need, broadly, a team Canada approach at the top level, under which various federal government departments join hands with the provincial governments and industry bodies to develop and actually implement it? But even before going there, I'm sure you should be working in coordination with other arms of the federal government.
Is there any plan available for us to look at that shows the path we are going to take to develop mines? The development of mines takes five to seven years. Is there any plan we can see as to the path forward, the strategy, how it's going to be implemented and the players implementing it? Is there anything available to us?