Carney to unveil new list of fast-tracked major projects, including nickel and LNG developments

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to announce a new group of large-scale industrial and energy developments being referred to Ottawa’s Major Projects Office for potential fast-track approval. The announcement will take place Thursday in Terrace, British Columbia.

According to senior government sources, the list includes Ontario’s Crawford Nickel Project — a major mining development linked to the province’s critical minerals strategy — and a proposed hydroelectric project in Iqaluit aimed at reducing Nunavut’s dependence on diesel-generated electricity.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford welcomed the inclusion of the Crawford Nickel Project but expressed concern that other mining proposals, including those in the Ring of Fire region, have yet to see progress. Ford said investment in large-scale nuclear generation should also remain a national priority.

Other projects expected to be part of the announcement include the Sisson Mine in New Brunswick, the Nouveau Monde Graphite Phase 2 project in Quebec, and the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas project in northwestern British Columbia. The Ksi Lisims facility, backed by Indigenous and industry partners, would produce an estimated 12 million tonnes of LNG annually for export to Asian markets.

The new referrals are part of the federal government’s plan to streamline approvals for projects that advance Canada’s transition to cleaner energy and resource development while supporting economic growth across multiple provinces and territories.