Ottawa is moving to fast-track a slate of major infrastructure projects across Canada,designating them as being of national interest in an effort to spur economic growth.Minister of Interprovincial Affairs Dominic LeBlanc announced the government is poised to add to the list of 11 projects currently under review by the Bureau of Major Projects (BMP), which includes initiatives focused on critical minerals, LNG, and hydroelectric power. The move comes as the federal government also seeks to harmonize project reviews with provinces and navigate stalled trade talks with the United States.
Canada’s federal government is poised to designate more major projects as being of national interest in the coming months, according to Minister of Interprovincial Affairs Dominic LeBlanc. The move aims to expedite approvals and accelerate the development of key infrastructure initiatives across the country.
Prime Minister Mark Carney recently added six projects to a list submitted to the federal Bureau of Major Projects (BMP) to streamline their review and implementation. This comes as the government seeks to bolster economic growth and address critical infrastructure needs. The BMP is currently evaluating a total of 11 infrastructure projects.
Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the second series of nationally significant infrastructure projects on November 12 in Terrace, British Columbia. (Archival Photo)
Photo : The Canadian Press / ETHAN CAIRNS
The six new projects announced this week include three focused on the extraction of critical minerals, one on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, one on hydroelectric power, and one on an electric transmission line. These projects reflect Canada’s strategic priorities in energy security and resource development.
Despite initial criticism regarding its effectiveness, Minister LeBlanc defended the necessity of the Canadian Economic Unity Act (C-5), which enabled the creation of the BMP. “It takes a few weeks, a few months, for the Bureau of Major Projects to define exactly what the designation can do,” LeBlanc explained. “But ultimately, we will do it, and it will be a very useful legislative measure.”
The BMP is now responsible for evaluating 11 infrastructure projects.
Previously, in September, the Prime Minister revealed an initial series of five major projects, including the expansion of the Port of Montreal in Contrecœur, the acceleration of Phase 2 of LNG Canada in Kitimat, British Columbia, the construction of a small modular nuclear reactor at the Darlington facility in Ontario, and the launch of mining projects in the western part of the country.
Agreements with Provinces
In addition to new designations, agreements between Ottawa and the provinces are also expected soon. The government is working to streamline the regulatory process and reduce duplication of approvals.
“We will have good news in the coming weeks on the idea of harmonizing project reviews to have ‘one project, one approval’ or a review process,” LeBlanc added. He noted that “many provinces are very ready” to sign agreements with the federal government to accelerate project launches and avoid redundant authorizations.
Negotiations with the United States at a Standstill
While the government expands its list of energy projects, trade talks with the U.S. administration remain stalled. This lack of progress could impact cross-border energy infrastructure and trade flows.
“It is true that negotiations on a specific agreement were suspended due to a decision by Mr. Trump,” Dominic LeBlanc stated. On October 23, the U.S. President decided to halt discussions with Canada in response to an advertising campaign by Ontario against increased tariffs.
The Minister indicated he is prepared to return to Washington as soon as the Trump administration is willing to resume discussions. In the meantime, he affirmed that support for the Canadian economy remains ongoing.
“We will have measures in the coming weeks, for example, for the lumber industry, which is facing an extremely difficult situation,” he announced. A meeting of the provincial and territorial Ministers of Internal Trade will take place in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, following the vote of confidence on his government’s budget.
