Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled the first series of projects that will be fast-tracked by the new Major Projects Office (MPO), aimed at accelerating Canada’s economic growth, advancing climate goals, and improving national infrastructure. The projects span critical sectors like energy, mining, and transportation and will be streamlined through regulatory processes to attract private investment and create thousands of jobs across the country.
Here are the key projects under review:
1. LNG Canada Phase 2 (Kitimat, BC)
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Expansion of LNG Canada’s production facility to make it the second-largest LNG plant globally. This project will enhance Canada’s role in the global natural gas market and help meet increasing demand for low-carbon energy.
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Jobs & Impact: Significant job creation and 35% lower emissions compared to global best performers in LNG.
2. Red Chris Mine Expansion (Northwest BC)
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Expansion of the Red Chris copper mine to increase Canada’s copper output by over 15% and reduce emissions by 70%.
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Indigenous Collaboration: Partnership with the Tahltan Nation.
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Jobs & Impact: Creation of up to 1,500 jobs during construction and approximately 800 during operations.
3. Darlington New Nuclear Project (Bowmanville, ON)
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Canada’s first small modular reactor (SMR) will provide clean, reliable energy to 300,000 homes.
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Jobs & Impact: 3,700 jobs annually, 18,000 during construction, and position Canada as a leader in SMR technology.
4. Contrecœur Terminal Container Project (Contrecœur, QC)
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Expansion of Port of Montreal’s capacity by 60% to strengthen supply chains and trade routes.
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Jobs & Impact: Thousands of jobs and $140 million annually in economic benefits.
5. McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine (East-Central Saskatchewan)
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Sustainable copper and zinc mining in collaboration with the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
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Jobs & Impact: Creation of 400 jobs and a net-zero copper project, contributing to Canada’s clean energy and manufacturing sectors.
6. Critical Minerals Strategy (Ontario’s Ring of Fire)
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Development of critical minerals to support global clean technology and defense needs.
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Jobs & Impact: Acceleration of investment decisions for critical minerals projects within two years.
7. Wind West Atlantic Energy (Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada)
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Harnessing over 60 GW of wind power in Atlantic Canada for local and export energy needs.
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Jobs & Impact: Renewable, emissions-free energy production to meet growing demand in Canada and potential exports to the U.S.
8. Pathways Plus (Alberta)
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Carbon capture and storage (CCS) to reduce emissions from Alberta’s oil sands while supporting low-carbon oil exports.
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Jobs & Impact: A major step in reducing Canada’s carbon footprint while supporting the conventional energy sector.
9. Arctic Economic and Security Corridor (Northern Canada)
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Dual-use infrastructure project connecting northern communities, boosting development, and improving national security.
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Jobs & Impact: Development of critical minerals and enhanced capability for the Canadian Armed Forces.
10. Port of Churchill Plus (Manitoba)
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Upgrade of Port of Churchill to expand trade corridors and increase export capacity in the North.
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Indigenous Partnership: Focus on Indigenous equity ownership in development.
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Jobs & Impact: Expanded trade with Europe, new energy infrastructure, and better connections to Canada’s heartland.
11. Alto High-Speed Rail (Ontario & Québec)
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Canada’s first high-speed rail line connecting Toronto to Québec City with speeds of up to 300 km/h.
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Jobs & Impact: 51,000 jobs during construction and 25 million tonnes of emissions savings over the project’s lifespan.
These projects, which represent more than $60 billion in investments, are part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy, create high-paying jobs, and secure global leadership in clean energy and resource management. The MPO will ensure that each project receives swift regulatory approvals and meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities, paving the way for long-term prosperity and environmental sustainability.
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