Critical Minerals and Energy Intelligence

Canada streamlines approval process for major mining and infrastructure projects

Subscribe for Investment Insights. Stay Ahead.

Investment market and industry insights delivered to you in real-time.

Canada’s provinces and territories will be permitted to approve major mining and infrastructure projects — and will no longer require separate federal government reviews, in a sweeping reform to streamline project development in Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the new “one project, one review” policy after meeting with the country’s 13 premiers, with the aim to eliminate duplicate, bureaucratic requirements.

“We will eliminate federal duplicative requirements by recognizing provincial assessments for major projects, the so-called mutual recognition… So, one project, one review, and we will work with the provinces and other stakeholders, Indigenous groups, to identify projects of national significance and accelerate the time frame to build them”

— Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister, told reporters in Ottawa

The government initiative extends beyond the mining sector, with Prime Minister Carney also announcing plans to remove all inter-provincial trade barriers by July 1, 2025, a move estimated to unlock C$250 billion in annual economic impact.

Key projects included in the announcement

Cedar LNG Project: a C$5.8 billion Indigenous-led liquefied natural gas export facility near Kitimat, British Columbia, has been identified as a leading candidate for this expedited process
Ring of Fire development: the critical minerals-rich region in northwestern Ontario is slated for quick approval under this new framework
First Mile Fund: a new capital fund will be established to finance the construction of transmission and transportation networks linking extraction sites to existing infrastructure
LEENSF: the Large Enterprise Economic and National Security Facility will be overseen by the Finance Ministry to provide liquidity support and funding for regional development agencies

Implications for the mining sector

This policy shift is poised to have far-reaching effects on Canada’s mining industry. By reducing regulatory overlap and streamlining the approval process, the government aims to create a more attractive environment for investment in resource extraction and critical minerals development.

The focus on critical minerals, particularly in the Ring of Fire region, aligns with global demand for materials essential to clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. This could position Canada as a key player in the supply chains for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and other high-tech industries.

Additionally, the cancellation of planned increases to the capital gains tax and the consumer carbon tax signals a shift towards policies aimed at stimulating economic growth and investment across mining and the economy as a whole.

Upcoming election

The new announcements come as Canada prepares for a federal election, and although an election can throw everything “up in the air”, we suspect that — whoever wins, the fact this has been agreed by the Liberal party with all the Premiers — will mean this will now be long-term federal policy.

Our analysis on plugging Canada’s miners into America’s battery belt:

Plugging Canada into America’s battery belt

Subscribe for Investment Insights. Stay Ahead.

Investment market and industry insights delivered to you in real-time.

Disclaimer

The Oregon Group maintains full editorial control over all content published on this website. While sponsored and advertised placements may be featured, the content remains the sole opinion of The Oregon Group. The author may receive compensation or remuneration for providing content, but all statements and expressions are made independently and are not influenced by sponsors or advertisers. From time to time, The Oregon Group and its directors, officers, partners, employees, authors, or members of their families, as well as persons who are interviewed for articles on this website, may have a long or short position in securities or commodities mentioned and may make purchases and/or sales of those securities or commodities in the open market or otherwise. By accessing and using this website, readers are cautioned to assume that each of the foregoing persons may have a financial interest in all companies and sectors mentioned on this website. Any projections, market outlooks or estimates herein are forward looking statements and are inherently unreliable., and any such statements are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events that will occur. Other events that were not taken into account may occur and may significantly affect the returns or performance of the securities or commodities discussed herein. The information provided herein is based on matters as they exist as of the date of preparation and not as of any future date, and The Oregon Group undertakes no obligation to correct, update or revise the information in this document or to otherwise provide any additional material. The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not, directly or indirectly, an offer, solicitation of an offer and/or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or commodity, and the information provided on this website should not be construed as any advice or an opinion as to the price at which the securities of any company or commodity may trade at any time. The Oregon Group is a publisher of financial information, not an investment advisor. We do not provide personalized or individualized investment advice or information that is tailored to the needs of any particular recipient, and the information provided on this website is not and should not be construed as personal, financial, investment or professional advice. Readers are cautioned to always do their own research and review of publicly available information and to consult their professional and registered advisors before purchasing or selling any securities or commodities and should not rely on the information contained herein. Neither The Oregon Group nor any of its affiliates accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of the information contained herein. By using the Site or any affiliated social media account, you are indicating your consent and agreement to this disclaimer and our terms of use. Unauthorized reproduction of this newsletter or its contents by photocopy, facsimile or any other means is illegal and punishable by law.