Canada Ends Federal Oversight In Favor Of Faster Project Approvals
Canada has officially scrapped its federal review process for major infrastructure and mining projects. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that projects will now proceed with only provincial or territorial approval, eliminating what he called “duplicative requirements.”
Carney explained that this new model will rely on “mutual recognition,” meaning one project will undergo just one assessment overseen by local governments.
“So, one project, one review, and we will work with the provinces and other stakeholders, Indigenous groups, to identify projects of national significance and accelerate the time frame to build them,” he said. Major ventures such as the Cedar LNG project, a $5.8 billion Indigenous-led liquefied natural gas export facility, and the $80 million Churchill port revitalization project are among the first expected to benefit.
The prime minister, who recently announce a federal election, highlighted how faster approvals might unlock vital resources and boost the economy, mentioning that “It’s time to build now,” and stressing the importance of private-sector engagement. This sentiment has also been echoed by Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, who has pledged to greenlight development within the Ring of Fire within six months if elected.
“Moving quickly on approvals,” Carney said, “we can create an environment where the taxpayers’ money is not at risk.”
In addition to scrapping the federal review process, Carney reversed a planned capital gains tax increase and canceled the existing consumer carbon tax, aligning with calls from provincial leaders.
A new “First Mile” fund was introduced to help build transmission and transportation links to remote resources. Another initiative under consideration is the Grays Bay Road and Port project in western Nunavut, which aims to connect mineral-rich areas to the Arctic coast, potentially boosting exports and job creation.
Financially, the government is also establishing the Large Enterprise Economic and National Security Facility to provide liquidity support and development funding for regional agencies, though details on the scope of this facility remain limited.
Building on this theme of cooperation, Carney and the premiers have committed to creating a National Trade and Energy Corridor strategy, which will coordinate transportation, energy, critical minerals, and digital connectivity. They also pledged to eliminate all inter-provincial trade barriers by Canada Day, estimating that this could unlock $250 billion annually for the economy.
Information for this briefing was found via Mining.com and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
