The federal government has identified five projects now under review by the newly created Major Projects Office (MPO), a unit designed to fast-track approvals and coordination for large-scale national developments.

The initial list includes:

• LNG Canada Phase 2 (Kitimat, B.C.): doubling liquefied natural gas capacity.
• Darlington New Nuclear Project (Ontario): building small modular reactors to power 300,000 homes.
• Contrecoeur Container Terminal Expansion (Quebec): expanding trade capacity along the St. Lawrence.
• McIlvenna Bay Mine (Saskatchewan): critical minerals copper-zinc project with low-emissions profile.
• Red Chris Mine Expansion (B.C.): boosting copper production and extending mine life.

The federal release said: “We must build critical nation-building projects at speeds not seen in generations. These projects will create the infrastructure to diversify our trading relationships, unlock new markets, and position Canada as both a clean-energy and conventional-energy superpower.”

Background

The Major Projects Office was announced last month, as reported by GoGeomatics Canada, with a mandate to streamline permitting, regulatory review, and Indigenous engagement across major infrastructure, energy, and resource developments. Ottawa has positioned the MPO as a way to accelerate “nation-building” projects without losing accountability or consultation.

This shift reflects a broader strategy linking energy, defence, and infrastructure. As we noted in our coverage of Canada’s new 5% GDP defence and infrastructure commitment — with 1.5% earmarked for critical infrastructure and civil preparedness — Ottawa is tying together economic growth and national security. Big projects are being framed not just as economic drivers, but as essential to Canada’s sovereignty and resilience.

What’s Next

Projects deemed to be of “national importance and significance” will be referred to the MPO, which will continue working with proponents, provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to find the right way forward. The five projects announced this week mark the first test of that process.