Concerns over an uncertain, scarce and affordable supply of helium are growing worldwide. Helium plays a fundamental, growing and irreplaceable role across our society and economy. The vast majority of helium is produced in the U.S. – where demand is growing and export supply is shrinking – and unstable political environments such as Russia, Qatar and Algeria. Much of the world’s increased supply of helium was forecast to come from Russia but Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine only proved to expose the fragility of the supply chain and force supply rationing. In Early 2023, the European Union added helium to its critical materials list in recognition of its economic importance and supply risk.

Scarcity and uncertainty of supply is calling into question everything from the repatriated North American chip manufacturing sector’s ability to support critical defence and electric vehicle production, to restrictions on scientific research being conducted at Canadian universities and the delivery of essential medical services to Canadians. As just one example, in a May 2023 Position Statement, the Canadian Helium Users Group (CHUG), Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) and Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) came together to appeal for the establishment of a national helium supply chain to mitigate the risk of ongoing and future global supply chain challenges.