The Business Council of Alberta applauds Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement today unveiling the first tranche of designated nation-building projects. This is a significant and welcome step towards restoring Canada’s ability to build major projects and secure a more prosperous future for all Canadians.
“For years, we have called for bold, nation-building action to get major projects built more quickly, more efficiently, and with greater certainty,” said Adam Legge, President of the Business Council of Alberta. “It’s time Canada becomes a country that builds big things again, and today’s announcement is a critical move in that direction. To fully realize this vision, however, it is equally important that we also tackle the significant policy and regulatory barriers that still hinder major project investments.”
We are particularly encouraged by the strategic inclusion of projects vital to Canada’s economic security and global competitiveness in energy, natural resources, and trade.
The designation of LNG Canada Phase 2 acknowledges the foundational role of our energy sector in providing responsible, reliable energy to the world.
Furthermore, the commitment to enhancing northern port and export infrastructure is a crucial move to unlock new global markets for our key export industries, including agriculture and natural resources, and to meaningfully expand our trade with the world beyond the United States.
The designation of the Pathways Alliance carbon capture initiative, critical minerals strategy, and the Port of Churchill as transformative projects to be considered for the future is also welcomed for Alberta’s economy.
To truly build on this positive momentum, further action is essential. Today’s announcement sets the stage, but the full potential of future projects, including additional energy pipeline capacity, remains constrained by significant policy barriers.
The crucial next step must be to repeal the BC tanker ban (Bill C-48) and scrap the proposed oil and gas emissions cap, as well as fundamentally reforming the federal regulatory and permitting system to create a clear, certain, and efficient approvals process.
Today’s announcement is a promising start. The Business Council of Alberta is ready to work with the federal government to tackle these remaining challenges and ensure that Canada can once again be a world leader in building the projects that create a strong Canada and a good life for Canadians.
