The Canadian government has launched the Major Projects Office to expedite regulatory approvals and facilitate financing for key infrastructure and mining projects. Mark Carney, who announced the initiative in late August, emphasized that the office aims to act swiftly to secure community consent and attract private-sector investments that could enhance the nation’s GDP. The prime minister has committed to ensuring the best financial outcomes for taxpayers amid significant borrowing in the budget.

However, the recent unveiling of additional mining and infrastructure projects in British Columbia has raised questions about the government's priorities. While Carney stated that the projects should benefit Canadians economically, he also highlighted the importance of advancing Indigenous interests and promoting sustainable growth. Critics argue that the focus has shifted away from purely economic considerations.

Heather Exner-Pirot, a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, remarked, "The Major Projects Office is obviously more about financing projects than moving along the regulatory process. We were under the assumption that we need to double non-U.S. exports and become an energy superpower. But the government is instead selecting projects the private sector would not want to advance on its own."

Dawn Farrell, who leads the Major Projects Office, stated her role is to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. However, both she and the prime minister have not clearly explained how being on the list benefits projects that already have environmental approvals.

Among the six projects announced by Carney, only the Crawford Nickel project in northern Ontario appears to be facing regulatory hurdles. The Impact Assessment Agency informed the Canada Nickel Company last May that its environmental impact statement lacked necessary information regarding fish habitat and potential contamination. Until the company provides this information, the impact assessment cannot proceed. Despite the project's significance for electric vehicle battery production and involvement from local First Nations, its approval remains uncertain.

Carney expressed confidence that Crawford will set a global standard for responsible mining and position Canada as a reliable supplier for various industries. However, the other projects listed have either already received environmental approvals or are not expected to encounter significant issues. For instance, the proposed Sisson tungsten mine in New Brunswick has been in the pipeline since 1979 and received federal approval in 2018, despite concerns about tailings dam safety. The Canadian government recently allocated $8 million to Northcliffe Resources to update feasibility studies, while the U.S. Defense Department has already invested $20 million to secure tungsten and molybdenum supplies.

The rationale for including these projects appears to be tied to national security and maintaining favorable relations with the United States. As the government moves forward, the focus on Indigenous interests and sustainable growth will be closely monitored alongside the economic implications of these initiatives.