Government Introduces Bill To Speed Up Major Projects And Strengthen Canada’s Economy

The federal government has introduced legislation aimed at speeding up infrastructure and major resource projects, strengthening trade corridors and improving protections for workers.

Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, would create faster and more predictable federal review processes for major projects, while maintaining environmental standards and respecting Indigenous rights.

Under the proposed legislation, federal reviews and decisions would be completed within one year once a project proponent submits a comprehensive application.

The bill would also designate strategic trade corridors, reduce transportation bottlenecks and establish a transportation project office to co-ordinate federal permitting for priority projects.

The legislation proposes changes to port governance and digital trade systems, with the government saying the measures would help Canadian businesses reach international markets and attract private investment.

The bill also includes changes to the Canada Labour Code aimed at strengthening collective bargaining and resolving workplace disputes while maintaining the right to strike.

The government plans to add 100 health and safety officers, increasing inspection capacity by about 70%, as well as 26 staff at the Canada Industrial Relations Board to address a backlog of worker complaints.

Additional inspectors would also be hired to address worker misclassification.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the legislation is intended to bring greater speed and certainty to major projects while maintaining high standards.

“Canada is a country of high standards, but high standards do not require slow decisions. Our government is bringing speed, certainty, and predictability to how we build, so investors know that when Canada says it wants something built, Canadians will get it built. In a more uncertain world, we will control our own future,” Carney said.

The proposed measures follow consultations with workers, unions, employers, Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, industry and other groups.

The government said the legislation builds on previous measures, including Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, and federal efforts to improve impact assessment and regulatory processes for major projects.

A separate Cabinet Directive has also been issued to support the goal of completing federal reviews and project decisions within one year.

The government said the proposed changes are intended to accelerate projects involving energy and natural resources, strengthen transportation and supply chains, and improve workplace protections.

The legislation will now go through parliamentary review and continued consultation with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, environmental organizations, industry and unions.