Prime Minister Mark Carney is gearing up to unveil a second round of “nation-building projects,” which will encompass a minimum of six initiatives, with a focus on critical mineral extraction, liquefied natural gas (LNG) exportation, and a transmission project, according to sources familiar with the matter. Among the key projects are the Sisson Mine in New Brunswick, the Crawford Nickel project in Ontario, the Ksi Lisims LNG project in British Columbia, an Iqaluit hydro project, and the Nouveau Monde Graphite Phase 2 project in Quebec. The remaining two projects, including a transmission endeavor, have not been disclosed due to confidentiality constraints within the government.
The official announcement of these projects is pending, and potential amendments could still be made. Identifying significant projects plays a pivotal role in the federal government’s efforts to revamp the Canadian economy amidst trade and productivity challenges. This initiative follows the initial tranche of projects announced by the government in September, intended to stimulate private investments and streamline regulatory processes for projects facing obstacles.
The upcoming announcement, scheduled in Prince Rupert, B.C., is expected to include the Indigenous-proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project, which has received approval to progress to the next phase of seeking permits and approvals. The project, with a proposed capacity of up to 12 million tonnes of LNG annually, is anticipated to bring substantial economic growth and job opportunities. The Nisga’a Nation, Rockies LNG Partners, and Western LNG are among the principal proponents of the project.
A key aspect of the strategy involves three new projects focusing on critical minerals: the Sisson Mine in New Brunswick, the Nouveau Monde Graphite mine, and Crawford Nickel in Ontario. The Crawford project, set to be announced by Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson in Timmins, Ont., has the potential to create approximately 1,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. Additionally, the Sisson tungsten mine near Fredericton is poised to extract significant amounts of tungsten and molybdenum-containing ore, subject to further development.
Furthermore, the federal budget includes a new “critical minerals sovereign fund” earmarked for strategic investments, with $2 billion allocated over five years. An Inuit-owned clean energy project in Iqaluit is also anticipated to be featured on the list, having received $6 million in federal funding earlier in the year. Once completed, the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit hydro project could help reduce the city’s dependency on diesel-generated power.
Carney has emphasized that the Major Projects Office’s role will be dynamic, with ongoing additions to the list of projects. The objective is to ensure continued momentum and progress in the development of significant infrastructure initiatives.
