Canada is trying to change one of the slowest parts of major infrastructure development: the approval process.
On September 21, the government introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. Its central proposal is a “one project, one review, one year” standard for federal project reviews and decisions, provided proponents submit a comprehensive application.
The interesting part isn’t simply the one-year target. It’s the attempt to make regulatory timing more predictable for projects involving energy, natural resources, transportation and supply chains.
The bill also proposes changes to Canada’s federal labour framework. The government says these measures are intended to promote more stable labour relations while protecting workers’ rights. It is also proposing 100 additional health and safety officers and 26 additional staff for the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
But there’s an important distinction: introducing a one-year federal review standard doesn’t automatically mean every major project will be built within a year. Project scope, consultation, environmental requirements and other jurisdictions can still affect timelines.
That implementation question may matter more than the headline itself.
If Canada can make approvals more predictable without weakening the underlying review and consultation requirements, the policy could materially change how investors assess project timelines. If not, the one-year target may remain more of an administrative benchmark than a construction accelerator.
The legislation is now entering parliamentary review, so the details are worth watching.
On September 21, the government introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. Its central proposal is a “one project, one review, one year” standard for federal project reviews and decisions, provided proponents submit a comprehensive application.
The interesting part isn’t simply the one-year target. It’s the attempt to make regulatory timing more predictable for projects involving energy, natural resources, transportation and supply chains.
The bill also proposes changes to Canada’s federal labour framework. The government says these measures are intended to promote more stable labour relations while protecting workers’ rights. It is also proposing 100 additional health and safety officers and 26 additional staff for the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
But there’s an important distinction: introducing a one-year federal review standard doesn’t automatically mean every major project will be built within a year. Project scope, consultation, environmental requirements and other jurisdictions can still affect timelines.
That implementation question may matter more than the headline itself.
If Canada can make approvals more predictable without weakening the underlying review and consultation requirements, the policy could materially change how investors assess project timelines. If not, the one-year target may remain more of an administrative benchmark than a construction accelerator.
The legislation is now entering parliamentary review, so the details are worth watching.