Liberals table bill to speed up major project approvals, avert labour disruptions

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-21 23:13:50.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Energy, Resources, Labour, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney's government tabled Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, to fast-track major project approvals, reduce federal review timelines to one year for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and six months for the Canada Energy Regulator and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and establish pre-approved economic zones of "national interest." The legislation transfers review responsibilities for pipelines and transmission lines from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Canada Energy Regulator, and for nuclear projects to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Additionally, the bill amends the Canada Labour Code to mandate collective bargaining six months prior to agreement expiry under specific conditions, require federally mediated relationship repair work following work stoppages, and increase penalties for bad faith bargaining.