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Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Carney and Canadian premiers bid to speed up major projects, cut US reliance
OTTAWA, June 2 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Mark Carney, seeking to reduce Canada's economic ties to the United States, on Monday met the heads of the 10 provinces as part of a push to slash the time needed to approve mining and energy projects. It can take a decade or more for a mine or a pipeline to get the green light and Carney says streamlining the process will boost GDP and help offset the damage done by U.S. tariffs. Carney says Ottawa will declare a certain number of projects to be in the national interest in an effort to get them built faster and has asked the provinces for a list of potential candidates. Approvals will be cut to two years, down from five. "We're in the process of redefining our relationship with the United States ... the coming weeks and months will be critical," Carney said at the start of the meeting in Saskatoon, in the western province of Saskatchewan. Progress though may be slow. The energy-producing province of Alberta is insisting that a pipeline carrying bitumen to the west coast be a priority, even though no company is currently proposing to build one, and the Pacific province of British Columbia opposes the idea. Several Indigenous groups - who have a major say over natural resource development on their lands - say they will oppose any attempt to trim the approval process if it infringes on their rights.
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Ottawa planning 'up-front' approval for projects deemed in the national interest
Social Sharing The Liberal government will introduce legislation to assist in identifying projects in the national interest and provide "up-front regulatory approvals" to major projects, according to a federal document obtained by CBC News. "Once a project is determined to be in the national interest, federal reviews will shift from 'whether' to build these projects to 'how' to best advance them," the document reads. "It will streamline multiple decision points for federal approval and minimize the risk of not securing project approval following extensive project work." The document was prepared by the Privy Council Office (PCO) and shared with Indigenous groups to outline the aims of proposed legislation. The PCO is the lead branch of the civil service, providing support to the prime minister and the cabinet. The document states the legislation is likely to be introduced in early June. The Globe and Mail first reported this Thursday. The legislation aims to create "a more flexible" regulatory framework for project approvals. Rather than a number of departments involved in the approval process, only one designated minister and department would be responsible for issuing a "conditions document" that would act as a project permit, the PCO document says. In an exclusive interview with CBC's Power & Politics this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that approving "major projects" will be a priority for his government. "We need to move on these nation-building projects. So projects that bring Canada together, projects that diversify our economy, projects that help us export to new markets and really move this economy forward," Carney told host David Cochrane. "The ask of provinces, the ask of the private sector is: Which projects do you have that reach those criteria? What we're going to do is fast-track the approval." WATCH | Carney says 'more will be done' on energy: Carney says 'more will be done' on energy, but conversation isn't all about pipelines 2 days ago Duration 3:52 Asked by CBC's Power & Politics host David Cochrane about the separatist sentiment in Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government is 'committed' to working with Canadians across the country. The PCO document indicated that the government will consider a project within the national interest if it makes "an exceptional contribution to Canada's prosperity, advances economic security, defence security and national autonomy through improved movement of goods, services and people." Project approval was a significant part of last week's throne speech read by King Charles. The speech promised to "unleash a new era of growth" by creating a federal project review office and reducing regulatory reviews "from five years to two." Despite the proposed changes, the PCO document said fast-tracking project approvals will still respect the government's legal obligations to Indigenous communities, specifically the duty to consult. Environmental group concerned Reacting to the document, which makes no mention of climate change or protecting nature, Greenpeace Canada issued a statement saying it raises concerns. "Moving quickly shouldn't mean moving in the wrong direction," said the environmental group's senior energy strategist, Keith Stewart. "To truly honour the government's commitment to uphold world-leading environmental standards and respect Indigenous rights, it should be focusing on projects that address climate change and the affordability crisis, rather than fast-tracking the expansion of harmful fossil fuels." "We need green grids and affordable homes, not new pipelines." The document mentions the need for "mines, nuclear facilities, ports," but does not refer to low-carbon energy projects, such as a national electricity grid. Carney told Power & Politics that "more needs to be done" to support Canada's energy sector, but said the conversation should go beyond pipelines. "Canadians, yes, they want energy pipelines that make sense. They also want connections between our clean grids. They want actually less carbon, so they want carbon capture and storage … they want broader [mineral exporting] corridors, for example ... that open up whole swaths of the country to new trade so that we are sovereign in the most important components of the future," the prime minister said. "All of those things are possible."
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Controversial B.C. bill fast-tracking infrastructure projects passes as Speaker breaks tie
MLAs are set to vote on a pair of bills that have drawn widespread condemnation from First Nations leaders. VICTORIA — A controversial bill in British Columbia responding to American tariffs has passed with Speaker Raj Chouhan casting the deciding vote Wednesday evening. Bill 15 fast-tracks public and private infrastructure projects, and Chouhan's vote means that the bill has passed third and final reading by a 47-to-46 vote. All New Democrats voted for the legislation, while all 41 Conservatives, both B.C. Greens and the three Independents opposed it. The passage of Bill 15 comes after it has faced weeks of criticism from Indigenous groups, municipal officials, environmentalists and some business leaders, who say the legislation gives cabinet too much power when it comes to designating provincially significant projects. Critics say the bill also undermines environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Premier David Eby's government says it will consult broadly when it comes to developing the regulations to implement the legislation. Chouhan's vote also pushed Bill 14 -- which would speed up renewable energy projects and transmission lines -- through the legislature. Provincial legislators earlier also passed the budget implementation act, as well as legislation that allows B.C. to break down internal trade barriers among other measures. That bill passed by four votes, as all 46 New Democrats and the two B.C. Greens voted in favour, with all 41 Conservatives and the three Independents voting to oppose. All four bills that passed now await royal assent from B.C. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia. This report by Wolfgang Depner of The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025.
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
B.C. bill fast-tracking infrastructure projects passes as Speaker Raj Chouhan casts deciding vote
A controversial bill in British Columbia responding to American tariffs has passed with Speaker Raj Chouhan casting the deciding vote Wednesday evening. Bill 15 fast-tracks public and private infrastructure projects, and Chouhan's vote means that the bill has passed third and final reading by a 47-to-46 vote. All New Democrats voted for the legislation, while all 41 Conservatives, both B.C. Greens and the three Independents opposed it. The passage of Bill 15 comes after it has faced weeks of criticism from Indigenous groups, municipal officials, environmentalists and some business leaders, who say the legislation gives cabinet too much power when it comes to designating provincially significant projects. Critics say the bill also undermines environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Premier David Eby's government says it will consult broadly when it comes to developing the regulations to implement the legislation. Chouhan's vote also pushed Bill 14 – which would speed up renewable energy projects and transmission lines – through the legislature. Provincial legislators earlier also passed the budget implementation act, as well as legislation that allows B.C. to break down internal trade barriers among other measures. That bill passed by four votes, as all 46 New Democrats and the two B.C. Greens voted in favour, with all 41 Conservatives and the three Independents voting to oppose. All four bills that passed now await royal assent from B.C. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia.
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Will laws apply in Ontario's 'special economic zones'?
The Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act – also known as Bill 5 – aims to fast track mining projects in Ontario and gives the government the power to create 'special economic zones' that would grant the government the power to exempt companies from still-unspecified laws. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has framed these measures as necessary to protect the province against the threat of Donald Trump's trade war. But the sweeping power it affords the government has Indigenous groups, the Civil Liberties Association and more sounding the alarm. Mike Crawley is a senior reporter with CBC News covering Ontario and he's here to break down the bill, the controversy around it and whether 'cutting red tape' is really the answer to the economic threat posed by Donald Trump.
