Canada has established a new Major Projects Office (MPO) to expedite the approval and construction of large national projects. Based in Calgary and launched under the Building Canada Act, the MPO brings all the moving parts of big infrastructure projects into one place. The goal is to cut the time it takes to move a project from idea to construction to under two years.
In the past, large projects often faced long delays because approvals had to come from several federal departments. Each step had its own rules and timeline, which made the process slow and complicated. The Major Projects Office was created to consolidate all these steps in one place. By acting as a central hub for reviews and financing, it gives project leaders a single path to follow instead of juggling multiple applications.
At the heart of the MPO is a “one project, one review” system. Instead of filing multiple applications across different offices, project leaders will now deal with one unified process. When a proposal is received, the Major Projects Office assesses whether it aligns with Canada’s broader goals. Projects that create jobs, strengthen the economy, advance climate or energy targets, or include Indigenous participation are more likely to move ahead. If a project meets these tests, the MPO provides one clear set of conditions. This single document replaces the multiple separate approvals that were previously required, reducing overlap and confusion. This creates predictability, lowers costs, and helps projects move forward faster.
Another important role of the Major Projects Office is building stronger partnerships with Indigenous Peoples. The office will be supported by an Indigenous Advisory Council, which helps shape decisions and makes sure communities are included in every stage of review. This means projects must respect Indigenous rights while also creating chances for economic participation and long-term benefits. This approach aims to strike a balance between speed and fairness, recognizing the importance of Indigenous voices in shaping Canada’s future.
“Canada’s new government is building One Canadian Economy, turbo-charged by major nation-building projects that connect our regions, diversify our products and markets, and create hundreds of thousands of high-paying careers,” said Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney. “Central to this mission is partnership with Indigenous Peoples. The expertise and advice of the Indigenous Advisory Council will help ensure these projects empower First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and create greater opportunity, security, and prosperity for their communities.”
Financing is another part of the MPO’s work. The office will help coordinate funding through programs such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. By aligning financing with approvals, projects have a clearer path to getting started. This connection between reviews and funding reduces delays that can add years and millions of dollars to project costs.
The Building Canada Act, which came into force in June 2025, formally set up the MPO. It gives the office the power to coordinate federal approvals and cut down timelines without lowering standards for safety, consultation, or environmental review. In fact, the Act requires consultation with Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders as part of every review. By building these steps into the process from the start, the MPO hopes to avoid conflicts and surprises later on.
From highways to clean energy projects, the office will help get shovels in the ground faster while ensuring that benefits are shared across communities. For planners, investors, and workers, this means clearer timelines and fewer roadblocks. For Canadians, it means vital projects can be delivered when they are needed most.
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