On January 27, 2026, Above Ground and MiningWatch Canada co-hosted the second event in our Interrogating “critical minerals” event series. As so-called “critical minerals” gain prominence in economic policy, this webinar provided a deep dive into Canada’s approach and the context in which it is unfolding. Four speakers, representing government and civil society, shared detailed insights and offered diverse perspectives and critiques of Canada’s strategy.
Nicole Uher is a Deputy Director at the Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence based at Natural Resources Canada. Since joining Natural Resources Canada in 2019, she has led a team responsible for the development and implementation of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy. She began her public service career through the Advanced Policy Analyst Program, the Government of Canada’s premier professional and leadership development program for economic and public policy analysts. Nicole holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies from Queen’s University.
Leah Gilbert Morris currently serves as Vice-President of Public Affairs & International Relations at Export Development Canada (EDC) as a member of EDC’s senior management team. In addition to more than 20 years’ experience at EDC and its subsidiary, FinDev Canada, Leah has previously served in the Canadian government and has prior experience in the Canadian commercial banking industry and two multilateral development banks. Leah has a Master’s Degree in Geography and Environ-mental Studies with concentration in public policy, and a Bachelor of Environmental Science with a minor in economics from Carleton University.
Jamie Kneen was one of the founders of MiningWatch Canada and has been with the organisation since its creation in 1999. As Outreach Coordinator and National Program Co-Lead, he is responsible for MiningWatch’s work in western and northern Canada, as well as public engagement and strategic research and communications. He is also responsible for the organisation’s research and advocacy in Africa (and previously, Latin America), as well as uranium mining and environmental assessment policy and practice in Canada. With a degree in Biology (ecology) from McGill University, Jamie has been worked on environmental and resource management issues, including mining, and Indigenous land rights, for many years.
Nicolas Hubert is an assistant professor in the Department of Societies, Territories and Development at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR). He holds the Canada Research Chair in Territorial and Socio-Environmental Transitions and is Co-Editor-in-Chief of VertigO – The International Journal of Environmental Sciences. His work focuses on the socio-environmental and territorial impacts generated by the energy transition. His research examines, in particular, the contradictory development imperatives that drive support for critical minerals extraction, the expansion of energy infrastructure, and biodiversity conservation within the same territories.