Protect our economic sovereignty by unlocking projects that grow our economy. • YouBetcha

Current Status

Status: In Progress The current government has taken concrete steps by establishing the Major Projects Office and enacting legislation to support nation-building projects, though full delivery remains incomplete.

Background

The promise to protect economic sovereignty through nation-building projects emerged as a response to Canada’s sluggish project approval timelines, which have long been criticized for deterring investment and stalling economic growth. Made in the context of global economic volatility, the commitment aimed to position Canada as a competitive player by fast-tracking infrastructure and resource projects with strategic importance. Fulfilling this pledge requires not just identifying and listing such projects in collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples, but also ensuring expedited funding and regulatory assessments to cut through bureaucratic delays. This is no small task, given the complexity of intergovernmental coordination and the need to balance economic goals with environmental and Indigenous rights considerations [1].

Evidence

Since the current government under Prime Minister Mark Carney took office, several tangible actions have been recorded toward fulfilling this promise. On June 26, 2025, the government passed the One Canadian Economy Act, which includes the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act. This legislation establishes a statutory framework to remove federal barriers to interprovincial trade and improve labour mobility, creating a more conducive environment for large-scale projects that span provincial boundaries [3]. On the same date, the Building Canada Act was enacted, explicitly recognizing the urgency of advancing projects in the national interest through accelerated processes. The Act emphasizes collaboration with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments while committing to environmental standards and Indigenous rights, aligning with the promise’s scope [4].

On September 11, 2025, Prime Minister Carney announced the launch of the Major Projects Office (MPO) in Edmonton, Alberta. The MPO is tasked with fast-tracking nation-building projects by streamlining regulatory assessments and approvals, aiming to reduce timelines to a maximum of two years through a “one project, one review” approach with provinces and territories. The announcement included the referral of the first series of projects for consideration, such as LNG Canada Phase 2 in Kitimat, British Columbia, marking a specific step toward identifying and prioritizing nation-building initiatives [1].

On November 14, 2025, Carney delivered remarks at the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal, outlining Budget 2025’s plan to enable $1 trillion in total investments. While this speech highlighted the government’s broader economic vision and entrepreneurial focus, it did not constitute a specific action toward the promise beyond reinforcing intent [2]. Other departmental reports and plans from Natural Resources Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for 2024-25 and 2025-26 mention economic competitiveness and infrastructure priorities but lack direct reference to the specific list of nation-building projects or expedited processes outlined in the promise [6][7][8]. A private member’s bill, C-235, related to a green economy in the Prairies, was introduced in 2022 under a previous government and is not attributable to the current administration’s efforts [5].

Assessment

The current government has laid a solid foundation for fulfilling its promise to protect economic sovereignty through nation-building projects. The establishment of the Major Projects Office and the referral of initial projects like LNG Canada Phase 2 for expedited review demonstrate a clear intent to cut through the red tape that has historically hindered Canada’s economic responsiveness. Coupled with the passage of the Building Canada Act and the One Canadian Economy Act in June 2025, these actions provide a legislative and operational framework to prioritize and accelerate projects of national significance, directly addressing the core components of the original commitment.

However, the work is far from complete. While the government has identified some projects and set up mechanisms for faster approvals, there is no evidence yet of finalized lists developed in full collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples, nor of specific funding allocations being disbursed on an expedited basis. Until these elements are fully realized, the promise cannot be considered delivered, but the concrete steps taken so far signal a credible path forward.

The government’s progress stands in contrast to mere rhetoric or planning documents, which alone would not suffice. With the MPO now operational and legislation in place, the administration has moved beyond promises to action, though Canadians will be watching closely to ensure that timelines are met and the full scope of intergovernmental partnership is achieved in the months ahead.

Current Status

Background

Evidence

Assessment

Sources