The teams will be invited to submit formal proposals in October.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the U.S. tariffs have left Canada's steel and aluminum industries in a state of emergency.

Erskine-Smith was the only Liberal MP to vote against his government's motion limiting debate on the major legislation.

The designation of special economic zones is part of a new omnibus law that Ford's government says is designed to speed up the construction of large infrastructure projects, particularly mines.

Webequie First Nation is leading an environmental and impact assessment of the Webequie Supply Road that would connect to mining exploration activities in the Ring of Fire.