Carney Launches Major Projects Office to Accelerate Nation-Building Infrastructure
Calgary-based hub aims to cut approval times, fast-track major developments, and unlock Canada’s economic potential
OTTAWA — Canada is overhauling how it approves and builds large-scale infrastructure. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of the Major Projects Office (MPO) on Friday, a new federal body that will fast-track nation-building projects ranging from ports and railways to clean energy corridors and critical minerals.
The move follows the Building Canada Act, passed in June, which gave the government new powers to streamline federal approvals. For years, businesses and provinces have raised concerns about regulatory bottlenecks that delayed projects and drove investment elsewhere. The MPO is designed to change that.
What the MPO Will Do
Headquartered in Calgary, with regional offices planned for other cities, the MPO will act as a one-stop shop for projects deemed to be in the national interest. Its role includes:
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Accelerating approvals: Reviews capped at a maximum of two years, replacing what could be drawn-out multi-year processes.
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One project, one review: Aligning provincial, territorial, and federal environmental assessments into a single streamlined process.
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Financing coordination: Attracting private capital and working with federal tools like the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Canada Growth Fund, and the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program.
By cutting approval times and pooling financing expertise, the MPO is intended to make Canada more competitive in attracting domestic and global investment.
Leadership and Indigenous Partnership
The office will be led by Dawn Farrell, former CEO of TransAlta and past Chair of Trans Mountain Corporation. Her experience in Canada’s energy sector and with large infrastructure projects was cited as critical to delivering results quickly.
An Indigenous Advisory Council will also guide the MPO. Membership will be confirmed in September, but the government says the group will include First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Modern Treaty representatives. Ottawa stressed that partnership with Indigenous Peoples will be central, including opportunities for equity ownership in major projects.
Why It Matters
The federal government argues that Canada has lost billions in potential investment because of lengthy and unpredictable approval processes. According to Statistics Canada, regulatory requirements grew by 37% between 2006 and 2021, reducing business sector investment growth by an estimated 9%.
Carney framed the launch of the MPO as part of a broader effort to make Canada the “strongest economy in the G7.”
“Canada has always been a nation of builders,” he said, citing historic projects like the St. Lawrence Seaway. “We are moving at a speed not seen in generations to build the major projects that will unlock Canada’s full economic potential.”
What Comes Next
The MPO is expected to announce its first set of designated nation-building projects in the coming weeks. Sectors expected to benefit include:
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Ports and transportation infrastructure to expand export capacity.
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Clean energy grids and corridors to accelerate the transition to low-carbon power.
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Critical minerals projects to support clean tech, aerospace, and defence industries.
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Energy developments in both conventional and renewable sectors.
With Farrell at the helm and a mandate to deliver approvals in record time, Ottawa is betting the MPO will change Canada’s reputation from slow-moving regulator to nation builder.
📎 Background
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