Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the creation of a new Major Projects Office aimed at fast-tracking ports, railways, energy corridors, mineral developments and clean energy initiatives across Canada.
The office, headquartered in Calgary with locations in other major cities, will act as a single point of contact for major infrastructure projects. Its mandate is to cut federal approval timelines to a maximum of two years through a “one project, one review” approach and to help co-ordinate financing with provinces, territories and the private sector.
Dawn Farrell, a veteran energy executive and former CEO of TransAlta Corporation and Trans Mountain Corporation, has been appointed the office’s first chief executive officer. An Indigenous Advisory Council will also be established to ensure First Nations, Inuit and Métis voices are central to the process.
Carney said the initiative is part of the government’s effort to strengthen Canada’s economy by accelerating investments while upholding environmental standards and Indigenous rights.
“Canada has always been a nation of builders, from the St. Lawrence Seaway to Expo 67,” Carney said. “We are moving at a speed not seen in generations to build ports, railways, energy grids – the major projects that will unlock Canada’s full economic potential and build Canada strong.”
The government says the first set of projects under the new framework will be announced in the coming weeks.
