Carney in B.C. to unveil next list of recommended nation-building projects, including Iqaluit hydro project
Prime Minister Mark Carney is in northern B.C. on Thursday to announce the latest slew of nation-building projects that’ll be sent to the newly created Major Projects Office (MPO) in efforts to fast-track infrastructure approvals.
On Tuesday, CBC News reported at least three projects focused on critical mineral extraction, one for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and at least one transmission project, according to sources who spoke on condition they not be named.
There will be a total of at least six projects, including:
- The Sisson Mine, for critical minerals, in New Brunswick.
- The Crawford Nickel projectin Ontario.
- The Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas projectin British Columbia.
- An Iqaluit hydro project.
- The Nouveau Monde Graphite Phase 2 project in Quebec.
The Globe and Mail also reported Wednesday that the North Coast Transmission Line will be on the list, and a source told CBC News that the report is accurate.
Carney’s government launched the MPO in August after the Liberals pledged to speed up approvals for major infrastructure projects deemed to be in the national interest. The new office oversees that process.
The prime minister recommended an initial list of five projects in September that included expanding liquefied natural gas production in B.C., upgrading the Port of Montreal, a small modular reactor project in Ontario and new copper mines in the West.
Carney’s budget, released last week, includes some $214 million over the next five years — plus about $10 million more for Indigenous consultation work — to fund the new office’s approvals work.
The government’s growth plan leans heavily on getting these mostly energy- and resources-related projects built quickly, with an eye on expanding Canada’s markets beyond the increasingly protectionist U.S.
With files from Kate McKenna
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Federal budget delivers $1B Arctic Infrastructure Fund, though future of some social programs unclear, CBC News
Norway: Norway, UK team up to protect subsea infrastructure against Russian hybrid attacks, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Putin in Arkhangelsk: Arctic industry and infrastructure on agenda, The Independent Barents Observer
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