The discussion papers, released under the government’s “One Canadian Economy” agenda, outline potential legislative and policy changes intended to ensure federal reviews and project decisions are completed within one year after proponents submit all required information.
The proposed reforms are designed to create a more predictable regulatory environment for investors while maintaining environmental protections and Indigenous consultation obligations.
“To transform our economy and build major projects faster in Canada, investors and project proponents need predictability and efficiency,” said Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy.
Among the key proposals is a plan to run federal impact assessments and permit reviews concurrently rather than sequentially, coordinated through the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. The government also proposes formalizing a one-year federal review timeline in legislation.
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There are two discussion papers to engage Canadians over a 30-day period on proposed reforms to:
Ottawa is also proposing the creation of a Crown Consultation Hub within the agency to coordinate a single consultation process with Indigenous communities for each major project. The government said the approach is intended to reduce overlap and “consultation fatigue” while improving coordination with provinces and federal departments.
Additional proposals include issuing a single federal decision document for certain major projects, and consolidating approvals that are currently handled separately across departments and agencies.
The government is also looking to assign oversight authority for some projects to specialized regulators. Under the proposal, the Canada Energy Regulator would oversee pipelines, transmission lines, and offshore renewable energy projects, while the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission would lead reviews for nuclear and uranium developments.
Another proposal would establish pre-approved “Federal Economic Zones” for areas such as transportation corridors, industrial regions, and energy infrastructure. Projects within those zones could face fewer individual reviews and faster permitting, subject to consultation and environmental conditions.
The consultation papers also include measures aimed at improving Canada’s trade infrastructure and supply chains, including modernizing port governance, streamlining transportation regulations, and designating National Trade Corridors to improve supply chain efficiency.
“Building Canada strong means building stronger, more resilient supply chains that connect Canadian businesses to the world,” said Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.
“These engagements are about working with Indigenous partners, stakeholders, and Canadians to strengthen our trade corridors, modernize our ports, reduce red tape, and move goods more quickly and reliably across the country,” MacKinnon added.
The government said the reforms are intended to reduce duplication, shorten approval timelines, and improve investment certainty while continuing to uphold Indigenous rights and Canada’s environmental standards.
