PM refers first infrastructure projects to new MPO

Photo courtesy LNG Canada.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Carney named the first series of infrastructure initiatives referred to the new Major Projects Office (MPO) for consideration.

Launched last month, the MPO is intended to “fast-track nation-building projects by streamlining regulatory assessment and approvals and helping to structure financing, in close partnership with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and private investors.” The goal is to create a standard set of conditions and ensure “projects of national interest” are approved within two years, which will involve working with provincial and territorial governments on a “one project, one review” system.

The first five projects to be referred, all of which have already reached many regulatory milestones, are as follows:

LNG Canada Phase 2 – This project (pictured) in Kitimat, B.C., would double production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at what would then be the second-largest facility of its kind anywhere in the world, increasing supply of energy exports to Asia and Europe. Emissions are expected to be 35% lower than the world’s best-performing LNG facilities and 60% lower than the global average.

Darlington New Nuclear Project – This clean energy project in Bowmanville, Ont., would make Canada the first G7 country to operate a small modular reactor (SMR). The first of four planned units, it would provide power to 300,000 homes and set the stage for deploying SMRs across the country and around the world.

Contrecœur Terminal Container Project – This project in Contrecœur, Que., would expand the Port of Montreal’s capacity by an estimated 60% with the additional infrastructure needed to maintain movement of goods, respond to increasing demand, strengthen supply chains and diversify Canada’s trade routes.

McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine Project – This project in East-Central Saskatchewan, in one of Canada’s richest mineral belts, would involve close collaboration with the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation to supply copper and zinc to markets for clean energy, manufacturing and infrastructure. It is expected to be the first net-zero copper project in Canada.

Red Chris Mine Expansion – This project, part of a proposed Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor, would extend the lifespan of a mine in British Columbia by more than 10 years, increase Canada’s annual copper production by more than 15% and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 70% once operational.

The MPO estimates that together, these projects would cost more than $60 billion. It will now work to fill their remaining regulatory and permitting gaps, ensure financing is achievable and recommend their best courses for completion to the federal government.

Meanwhile, the MPO cited the following early-stage projects as requiring further development:

Critical Minerals Strategy – The MPO plans to help more critical minerals projects, including those in Ontario’s Ring of Fire, to reach final investment decisions within the two-year window.

Wind West Atlantic Energy – The MPO will seek regulatory certainty to attract investment in wind power projects across Atlantic Canada for both local energy needs and potential exports to the U.S.

Pathways Plus – A carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) project and pipeline in Alberta are intended to reduce emissions for exports from the oil sands.

Arctic Economic and Security Corridor – This all-weather, dual-use, land and port-to-port-to-port infrastructure project would contribute to both defence and development.

Port of Churchill Plus – This project would upgrade Manitoba’s Port of Churchill with an all-weather road, upgraded rail line and marine ice-breaking capacity to expand export capacity.

Alto High-Speed Rail – The MPO seeks to enable construction of this transportation project between Toronto and Quebec City to start in four years, rather than the original eight-year timeline.

Additional projects will reportedly be announced in the coming weeks.