We certainly recognize the important role of the mining industry in driving our country's economic prosperity, while also ensuring environmental stewardship and protection. We have a strong and very robust regulatory system for mining through environmental impacts, but we recognize that investments in innovation are certainly very key.
One mechanism through which we seek to really support sustainable mining is NRCan's green mining innovation, which is specifically looking at improving the mineral sector's environmental performance and at creating green technology opportunities. This is done in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, industry, academia and government organizations such as the Canada Mining Innovation Council. That's a great way by which we try to foster innovation in that space.
With respect to the question on investments, there are programs. I can mention the challenge programs that were launched under the Impact Canada initiative back in 2017, with $75 million over six clean-tech challenges. One of them was on mining—the “Crush It!” challenge. About $5 million was also awarded under that initiative to the Canada Mining Innovation Council.
There has definitely been some investment and definitely a strong push from the department. We'd be happy to follow up with the committee to provide further details on this. Can we actually delineate specifically the level of funding that has been allocated towards sustainable mining? There is certainly some data that can be provided there.