OTTAWA—Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to announce several significant infrastructure projects, including three critical minerals mines, a liquefied natural gas facility, and a hydro power plant in the Arctic. This announcement is expected to be made on Thursday, based on a list obtained by sources.

Among the projects under consideration is the Crawford Nickel Project, located near Timmins, Ontario. The Ksi Lisims LNG project, which aims to utilize a floating LNG production facility and a new gas pipeline in northern British Columbia, is also anticipated to be referred to the Liberal government’s Major Projects Office. This project could potentially ship up to 12 million tonnes of LNG annually. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin expedited this project in September by accepting British Columbia’s environmental review instead of requiring a federal one.

Additional projects expected to be included in the announcement are the Sisson Mine, a tungsten mine in New Brunswick; the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project in Nunavut; and the Nouveau Monde Graphite Matawinie Mine, located north of Montreal.

A referral to the Major Projects Office does not guarantee approval. However, if a project is deemed to be in the national interest, it could receive a regulatory decision within two years. The office is designed to facilitate the regulatory process for these projects. The recent budget clarified that projects referred to this office are eligible for funding through the Canada Infrastructure Bank and other Crown corporations.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed support for the Crawford Nickel Project, stating, "It’s great that they’re doing the Crawford Nickel Project — I love it." He also emphasized the need for streamlined processes, particularly regarding the Ring of Fire, a region rich in mineral deposits in northwestern Ontario. Ford urged the federal government to eliminate duplicative reviews, advocating for a "one-project-one-process" approach.

The Ontario government has proposed several initiatives for the Ring of Fire, including a tunnel under Highway 401, an expansion of GO Transit in the Greater Toronto Area, and a large-scale nuclear expansion. Carney has already referred a component of the nuclear expansion, specifically small modular reactors in Bowmanville, to the Major Projects Office. Last month, he announced a $2 billion federal investment for this project.

Ford expressed a desire for a broader commitment from Carney regarding nuclear investments, stating, "We need to be talking about large-scale nuclear, and I don’t know if we’re going to hear about that (Thursday), but that’s a key area that we need investment on."

A federal source indicated that Carney’s upcoming announcement may include support for the nuclear sector, although specific details remain unclear. Additionally, Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz, who chairs the Council of the Federation, has requested an update on Canada-U.S. trade and input from premiers on the major projects process.

Ford reiterated the importance of investment in the Ring of Fire and the proposed tunnel, highlighting the economic impact of the tunnel, which he claims costs the economy $56 billion annually. A feasibility study for the tunnel is currently in progress.