Following the the launch of the Major Projects Office (MPO), the Government of Canada has announced the first five projects under consideration for fast-tracking.

For these first projects, the work of the MPO will be to close final regulatory and permitting gaps, co-ordinate with provinces and territories, and ensure financing plans can be achieved. The MPO will recommend to the federal government the best course to complete each project approval quickly so proponents can make smart investment decisions.

“This is a defining moment for Canada. To get to ‘one project, one review, one decision’ will set Canada apart globally and will attract enormous inflows of capital,” said Dawn Farrell, MPO chief executive officer.

Two projects in B.C. are on the list:

LNG Canada Phase 2, Kitimat, British Columbia: This project will double LNG Canada’s production of liquefied natural gas, making it the second-largest facility of its kind in the world. It is expected to attract significant private-sector capital to Canada, contribute to GDP growth, and support jobs and economic growth in local communities. It will diversify trading partners and meet increasing global demand for secure, low-carbon energy with Canadian LNG, contributing to worldwide energy security by increasing the supply of available natural gas for Asian and European partners.

Red Chris Mine expansion, Northwest British Columbia: This major expansion project will extend the lifespan of the mine by over a decade, increase Canada’s annual copper production by more than 15 per cent, employ about 800 workers during operations, with a peak of approximately 1,500 workers during construction, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 per cent when operational. Working in close collaboration with the Tahltan Nation, it is an important step in reconciliation and further developing the potential of Northern British Columbia and will strengthen Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of copper and other resources essential for global manufacturing and clean energy technologies.

The announcement was welcomed by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), citing it builds on the construction industry’s years-long advocacy efforts to reduce red-tape and invest in “shovel-worthy” infrastructure projects that strengthen Canada’s economy.

“We are very happy to see that the government clearly made an effort to prioritize shovel-worthy projects, and not just shovel-ready projects,” said Gilbert. “We can always find projects to build, but we must prioritize those projects that will move the needle for our economy, and we believe the federal government has done just that.”