Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a significant expansion of Canada's strategic infrastructure push, designating six additional major projects for accelerated regulatory review through the federal Major Projects Office.
Nation-Building Projects Get Green Light
Speaking in Terrance, British Columbia on Thursday, Carney revealed that these latest additions meet the government's criteria for "nation-building" initiatives designed to spur economic development and attract billions in private investment. The prime minister emphasized that these projects would create substantial new employment opportunities across multiple provinces and territories.
The newly selected projects represent a strategic focus on three key sectors: critical minerals mining, clean electricity infrastructure, and liquefied natural gas development. This marks the second batch of projects to receive fast-track designation since Carney announced the first group back in September.
British Columbia Takes Center Stage
Topping the list of new projects is the North Coast Transmission Line, identified by British Columbia Premier David Eby's NDP government as essential for expanding the province's electricity grid. This infrastructure project aims to support growing industrial demands, particularly from the critical minerals and liquefied natural gas sectors.
In a significant financial commitment, the Canada Infrastructure Bank has approved a $140 million loan for B.C. Hydro to support the transmission line development. The project involves twinning an existing line from Prince George to Terrance, with initial stages projected to cost approximately $6 billion.
Another major British Columbia project receiving fast-track status is the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas project, led by the Nisga'a Nation. Carney highlighted the strategic importance of LNG development, stating that "liquefied natural gas is an essential fuel for the energy transition" and can help Canada build new trading relationships, particularly in fast-growing Asian markets.
National Reach: Mining and Indigenous Energy
The government's selection also includes three critical mining projects spanning Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, reflecting Canada's push to boost its domestic critical minerals supply chain. These projects align with broader North American efforts to secure essential minerals for clean technology and national security applications.
Completing the list is a groundbreaking hydro project in Nunavut that Carney described as the territory's first fully Indigenous-owned facility of its kind. This initiative aims to replace long-term reliance on diesel shipments for power, representing a significant step toward energy independence and sustainable development in Canada's northern regions.
Carney noted Canada's position as having the fourth-largest natural gas reserves globally, emphasizing the country's readiness to meet growing global demand predicted through 2040. This latest announcement builds on previous fast-track designations, including the LNG Canada export terminal expansion that seeks to double production capacity off B.C.'s coast.
