UPDATED: Carney unveils first wave of national infrastructure: Still no pipeline

Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined his government’s economic strategy on Thursday, unveiling the first set of major infrastructure projects under the newly created Major Projects Office. Speaking at a press conference in Edmonton, Carney framed the initiative as a way to accelerate approvals, strengthen partnerships with Indigenous communities, and position Canada as a global leader in energy and infrastructure.The Major Projects Office, headquartered in Alberta and led by former energy executive Dawn Farrell, is tasked with streamlining reviews and financing for large-scale projects. The government has pledged to reduce federal approval timelines to a maximum of two years, a move officials say will attract investment while maintaining environmental and social standards.Carney emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting the establishment of an Indigenous Advisory Council to guide the office’s work. “Partnership and Indigenous economic participation are embedded in our work,” he said. “These projects must advance reconciliation, strengthen Canada’s autonomy, and deliver benefits for Canadians.”Questions at the press conference turned to whether new oil pipelines would be considered by the federal government. Carney said no pipeline projects were included in the first set of approvals, but discussions are ongoing with provincial leaders. He pointed to recent meetings with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, where both sides explored what he described as a potential “grand bargain.” That arrangement would link future pipeline development to significant emissions-reduction efforts, including the Pathways carbon capture and storage project in Alberta.Carney stressed that while no private-sector proponent has yet brought forward a pipeline proposal, the Major Projects Office could be positioned to assess one if it aligned with national interest goals such as decarbonization, job creation, and market diversification. He noted that existing regulations could be adapted under the Building Canada Act to account for such considerations. However, he made clear that any future oil pipeline would be conditional on an accompanying plan for emissions reductions..Additional projects, identified as being in earlier stages of development, are also expected to be named. These include wind power initiatives in Atlantic Canada, a major carbon capture project in Alberta, an Arctic economic and security corridor, upgrades to the Port of Churchill, new all-weather roads in Northern Canada, and a proposed high-speed rail corridor between Toronto and Quebec City.The Major Projects Office, recently established by the federal government, is designed to identify and fast-track initiatives deemed to be of national importance. Some projects are considered ready for review and potential approval, while others will require further consultation and development..Combined, these projects are expected to generate more than $60 billion for the Canadian economy and create tens of thousands of jobs.Carney also highlighted a series of broader strategies still in early development. These include expanding critical mineral supply chains, advancing clean power generation in Atlantic Canada, scaling up carbon capture projects in Alberta, and developing high-speed rail between Montreal and Toronto. The government also plans to study the creation of a “Canadian sovereign cloud” to enhance digital infrastructure and security.Carney compared the initiative to Canada’s history of large-scale nation-building efforts, including the Trans-Canada Highway and the St. Lawrence Seaway..He argued that delays and red tape in recent decades have slowed progress. “We used to build big things in this country, and we used to build them quickly,” he said. “It’s time to get back at it.”The announcement comes amid global economic uncertainty, with Carney warning that Canada must adapt to shifts in trade and investment. He described the moment as a “rupture” rather than a transition, pointing to disruptions in U.S. trade policies. His government’s stated aim is to build resilience by diversifying markets and investing in domestic capacity.During the question period, Carney acknowledged that many of the initial projects were already in advanced stages of development. He said the federal government’s role will be to accelerate remaining approvals and provide financing support where needed.

UPDATED: Carney unveils first wave of national infrastructure: Still no pipeline

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