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CBC
2 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."
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Australia news live: Tasmania budget to tackle cost of joining AFL as treasurer ponders privatisations
Update: Date: 2025-05-28T20:30:07.000Z Title: Welcome Content: Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer, bringing you the best early stories and then your morning blogger will take over. It's official – working from home is not to blame for the sharp drop in productivity in the wake of the pandemic, according to a report by the Productivity Commission today. Instead the commission points out that because people generally worked fewer hours during the lockdowns, when everybody started going back into the office when the pandemic ended productivity fell. Rising debt, the ferry debacle and the ongoing question of a new AFL stadium hang over Tasmania's finances as the Liberal government hands down the state budget this morning. Forecasts show the deficit could blow out to nearly $10bn by 2027/28, meaning that asset sales could be on the cards. We have more details coming up. A nine-year-old girl raised the alarm before a married couple was found dead by police with gunshot wounds inside a home in Cairns. The child alerted a family member who called police, with officers later discovering the 'traumatising' scene. More coming up.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Defence minister tells arms makers to prepare for accelerated federal spending
Defence Minister David McGuinty pulled out all the stops Wednesday in his first major public speech to enlist the country's top arms makers in the Liberal government's plans to accelerate military spending. He pledged the newly re-elected Liberal government will take "immediate and decisive action to rebuild Canada's defence capacity." McGuinty was speaking at the annual CANSEC defence trade show in Ottawa to hundreds of Canadian and international contractors, many of whom are looking to sell weapons and munitions to the federal government. The speech comes against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump's talk of annexing Canada and one day after the government's throne speech, which promised the county would sign on to a $1.25-trillion European Union defence-industrial initiative — known as ReArm Europe. Speaking on CBC's Power & Politics Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he hoped to have the deal done by Canada Day. McGuinty, in his speech, reiterated that commitment and called on defence contractors to join the effort. "We're moving quickly to ensure our military has the tools to defend our country and continent, while remaining an engaged, reliable partner abroad," the minister said. "Here's the key message I want to leave with you here this morning. This work can only be done in partnership with you." CANSEC, in many respects, is an annual rite of passage for the defence minister, who is expected to build bridges with the contractors that supply military gear. Many companies, however, have complained about the glacial, often complicated, procurement process. McGuinty said the concerns have been heard. Going beyond NATO's 2% He also hinted the Liberal government was hoping to exceed its pledge to meet the NATO defence spending target of two per cent of the gross domestic product. During the election, Carney said the government would hit the mark by 2030. Canada plans to triple defence spending from 2014 levels by 2030, the minister said. "But your government is willing to accelerate this. So, stay tuned." NATO's secretary general this week said the two per cent benchmark would likely be raised to five per cent at the next leaders summit at the end of June. McGuinty delivered his speech, but did not stop to speak with reporters. Instead, he ducked out the back curtain with his staff.
E&E News
3 days ago
- Business
- E&E News
King Charles says Canada will be energy ‘superpower'
King Charles III opened the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday with a speech that emphasized the country's sovereignty — and its ability to become a 'superpower' in both green and conventional energy. The rare address came after President Donald Trump's repeated suggestions that Canada become the 51st state. Reading from a speech written by officials in Prime Minister Mark Carney's government, Charles outlined the Liberal government's goals for the new session of Parliament. Among them: speed up approvals for 'projects of national significance.' Advertisement Eliminating barriers that have held back the Canadian economy 'will enable the dawn of a new era of growth,' Charles said in French, adding it would allow Canada 'to build an industrial strategy that will make Canada more globally competitive while fighting climate change.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Parliament gets back to work with a new prime minister and many new faces
Prime Minister Mark Carney rises for the first time in the House of Commons following the election of the Speaker on Monday, May 26, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA — Parliament gets back to work Wednesday with a new Speaker, a new prime minister and plenty of new faces in the House of Commons. Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia will preside over the House of Commons for the first time today, while his office has confirmed that all 343 members of Parliament have now been sworn in. Roughly a third of those MPs, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, were elected for the first time in April and will face their first question period today. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will be absent from the House of Commons for the first time in two decades after failing to win re-election in his riding. Former party leader Andrew Scheer will lead the Conservative caucus in the House of Commons. King Charles formally opened Parliament on Tuesday with the speech from the throne and the minority Liberal government says it will move quickly to pass a promised one-point cut to the bottom income tax bracket. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025.
