“No decision” on nationbuilding project list: Energy minister

Despite a great deal of bluster from the federal government about expediting nation-building projects, none have been approved in the first six months of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s tenure.

By: Quinn Patrick, True North

Despite a great deal of bluster from the federal government about expediting nation-building projects, none have been approved in the first six months of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s tenure.

Furthermore, no decisions have been made regarding the “second wave” of projects that will be sent to the Major Projects Office.

According to Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, “no specific number of projects” are awaiting approval.

When asked what projects he would like to see prioritized during a virtual press conference from the United Kingdom on Thursday, Hodgson gave little in the way of answers.

“Well, in natural resources, we have potential to put forward projects in the minerals and mining space. We have opportunities to put projects forward in the renewable energy space. We have opportunities to put projects forward in the hydroelectric space. We have opportunities to put forward…transmission opportunities. We have opportunities in conventional energy,” he said.

However, he failed to provide any concrete examples or name any potential projects slated for approval.

Carney said last month that his government would “announce the next wave” of nation-building projects “by Grey Cup,” which takes place on November 16.

The Building Canada Act was part of the Liberals’ Bill C-5, which gave the federal government sweeping powers to expedite natural resource and infrastructure projects deemed in the national interest.

Provinces have submitted projects they want greenlit under the legislation but none have been made public yet.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has repeatedly mentioned that she expects the West Coast pipeline to be on the second wave of major projects. She has warned that if Canada and her provincial colleagues won’t cooperate, the United States will.

While the first five projects were announced for consideration in September, no mention of any oil pipelines has been made thus far.

Chief Executive Officer of the Major Projects Office Dawn Farrell had also previously mentioned that nine projects in total were currently being assessed.

A reporter asked Hodgson about the details of the other four projects.

“I’m not sure I’m following your…your math there,” replied Hodgson.

“There were five projects put forward for referral to the office. There were five strategies of national interest that were named. Those were named when we were in Edmonton. The prime minister said there’ll be another tranche that comes on Grey Cup day. We’ve made no decision as to how many would be coming.”

He went on to say that there would be a “number of projects” that still need to be evaluated before they can be referred to the Build Canada Committee, which will then decide what to refer to Minister LeBlanc and Carney “for possible designation.”

“So there’s no specific number that has been committed to for Grey Cup day at this point,” said Hodgson.