Governments and the mining sector in Canada view the global demand for critical minerals as a “generational opportunity,” positioning Canada as a leader in sustainable mining that respects Indigenous rights. These same governments are also fast-tracking project approvals and streamlining environmental assessments (EA) in response to industry demands. Drawing on the case of a recently approved, Indigenous-opposed critical mineral mine in Kaska Dena territory, Yukon, and our broader research on EA in Nunavut and British Columbia, we explore how EAs rationalize harms to endangered species, overstate economic benefits, and sidestep Indigenous opposition. We consider how the global rush for critical minerals is reshaping an already strained regulatory system and what opportunities may exist for intervention given the current conjuncture.