The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, April 28, edition that Export Development Canada is set to hike its support for Canada's mining sector amid global trade uncertainties. The Globe's Niall McGee writes that EDC offers loans, credit insurance, performance bonds and participates in equity deals. Last year, it provided $7.6-billion in assistance to the industry. Both the Liberals and Conservatives aim to promote mine development, with a focus on critical minerals. EDC director Al Pritchard says: "We are actively speaking to many of the developers that are in the later stages of mine development to see if there's a way for EDC to participate. We are as eager as anyone to see those projects come on-line." Among the Canadian critical-minerals companies that EDC is currently looking at lending to is Canada Nickel, which plans to build a giant nickel-cobalt mine near Timmins, Ont. Canada Nickel hopes to secure a $500-million loan from EDC that would make a major dent in the roughly $2-billion that is needed to build the mine. Mr. Pritchard says, "It's a project that we hope to support." EDC supports domestic mining companies and lends to international miners to create business opportunities for Canadian firms.