Liberal Leader Mark Carney has pledged to expedite the review process for major resource projects if re-elected, aiming to position Canada as an “energy superpower” in both clean energy and oil and gas sectors. This move aligns with the Conservative party’s similar promise to create federal offices dedicated to accelerating approvals for natural resource development, bolstering the country’s industrial economy and trade opportunities amidst uncertainties stemming from U.S. tariff policies.
Carney emphasized the urgency of advancing projects, drawing parallels to former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s vision of Canada as an “emerging energy superpower” during the oilsands expansion in 2006. As part of his proposal, Carney plans to establish a Major Federal Project Office with a mandate to render decisions on projects within a two-year timeframe instead of the current five years, streamlining various governmental processes into a unified channel.
The Liberal leader’s initiative builds upon last year’s commitment by Justin Trudeau’s government to limit the evaluation period for federally designated projects to five years. In contrast, the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, recently announced plans for a Rapid Resource Project Office aiming for even speedier regulatory reviews, with a maximum timeline of one year and a target of six months.
Concerns have been raised about the potential compromise of standards and shortcuts in the haste to accelerate reviews, particularly in light of external threats to Canadian sovereignty and the economy, such as those posed by Donald Trump. Carney intends to uphold the Impact Assessment Act, which has faced criticism from the Alberta government and the petroleum sector, in contrast to Poilievre’s pledge to repeal the legislation.
Carney also outlined a strategy to foster cooperation agreements with supportive premiers and Indigenous governments, allowing provincial assessments to substitute federal reviews, a move aimed at enhancing the Act’s efficacy without halting projects. This approach is envisioned to maintain a balance between expediting processes and upholding environmental and Indigenous rights standards.
Furthermore, Carney emphasized the importance of transitioning to a low-carbon conventional energy market for long-term sustainability, particularly highlighting the critical minerals sector crucial for technologies like electric vehicle batteries. He proposed a “first and last mile fund” to aid in infrastructure development for new resource mines, although specific funding details are yet to be disclosed.
Despite Poilievre’s skepticism towards Carney’s campaign promises, citing past delays in energy projects under Trudeau’s administration, Carney remains steadfast in his commitment to advancing resource development while ensuring environmental integrity and Indigenous rights are preserved.