First wave of major project announcements arriving Thursday: Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he will announce Thursday the first group of so-called nation-building projects his government will fast-track using the sweeping override powers passed by Parliament in June.

Speaking to reporters before a Liberal caucus meeting in Edmonton, Carney said the much-anticipated first tranche of projects focuses on proposals that connect regions and diversify the country’s products and markets.

“Projects that will increase our independence, boost our economy, align with the interests of Indigenous peoples, and advance our climate goals,” Carney said.

Carney will meet with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Wednesday afternoon where projects put forward by the province will surely be discussed.

In the spring, the Liberals passed the Building Canada Act, which gives cabinet sweeping powers to fast-track natural resource and infrastructure projects deemed in the national interest.  Provinces then submitted lists of projects they wanted pushed forward using the new federal powers.

Last week, the Liberals announced the head of the Major Projects Office, former TransMountain CEO Dawn Farrell , who will help “national interest” projects get through government regulation to be built faster.

None of the projects submitted by provinces to the new office for fast-tracking have been revealed, though Carney has mentioned port expansions such as in Contrecoeur, about 40 kilometres northeast from Montreal on the Saint Lawrence, and the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba with direct access to Hudson Bay.

On Wednesday, Carney also announced a new “Trade Diversification Strategy” this fall that will flesh out the government’s plan to reinforce non-U.S. trade relationships and open access to new foreign markets, particularly in Asia.

More to come.

cnardi@postmedia.com

National Post

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