Canada to Fast-Track Major Infrastructure Approvals in One Year

The Canadian government has announced plans to speed up approvals for major infrastructure projects. Under the proposed reforms, decisions on large developments would be made within a year. Officials say the changes will bring more predictability for investors and developers. The new system would replace the current process, where projects often face delays from multiple federal agencies. Instead, a single agency will coordinate all necessary permits. This shift aims to cut red tape and avoid repeated reviews.

Indigenous consultations will also be streamlined. A new 'Crown Consultation Hub' will handle one consultation per project and per community, rather than multiple discussions. The government claims this will make the process clearer and faster.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc explained that the reforms focus on efficiency. The goal is to attract investment while maintaining environmental and community safeguards. A broader discussion paper has been released, and the public will have 30 days to provide feedback. If implemented, the changes would set a fixed one-year timeline for project approvals. The government believes this will benefit both developers and communities by reducing uncertainty. Consultations on the proposals will run for the next month.