Unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin Territories [OTTAWA], 11 September 2025:
Today, the Carney government presented the first projects “of national interest” to be approved and fast-tracked under the Building Canada Act. This initial list includes a first batch of five projects submitted to the Major Projects Office for consideration and approval. Prime Minister Carney also announced the potential list of upcoming, less advanced projects which may be fast-tracked this fall.
“Environmentalists want to build, too – but we want to build the future, not preserve the past. We want to build the right things, the right way, and this top-down Major Projects approach doesn’t help us get there. We see some good ideas in the tentative project list – wind energy generation and high-speed transit, for example. We also see within this list some dangerous initiatives that further entrench us in Trump’s dream of an uncompetitive, volatile and fossil-fueled North American economy, while the world sails to green tech,” warns Caroline Brouillette, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada.
“How big things get built also matters. Unfortunately, the Building Canada Act seems to assume that Premiers and C-suite executives are the only voices that need to be listened to in order to succeed. Transforming the economy is an all-hands-on-deck initiative that requires a thriving democracy, meaningful engagement with civil society, workers, and local communities, and the full respect and upholding of Indigenous rights and sovereignty. The federal government has given itself the power to disregard these hard-won protections, which only risks jeopardizing and delaying these projects.
“In other words: Prime Minister Carney, you need us. Climate Action Network Canada and its membership remain ready to engage with the federal government to craft a definition of national interest projects that aligns with Canadian values, and to contribute to the upcoming Climate Competitiveness Strategy.”
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Canada’s farthest-reaching network of organizations working on climate and energy issues, Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada is a coalition of close to 200 organizations operating from coast to coast to coast. Our membership brings environmental groups together with trade unions, First Nations, social justice, development, health and youth organizations, faith groups and local, grassroots initiatives.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Alicia Parker, Communications Coordinator
aliciaparker@climateactionnetwork.ca