The head of Canada’s recently established Major Projects Office (MPO) anticipates that a decision on a bitumen pipeline to the West Coast could be reached within four to five months. Dawn Farrell, CEO of the MPO, testified before the environment committee on Thursday regarding Canada’s plans for reducing emissions.
During the session, Conservative MP David Bexte inquired about the timeline for evaluating Alberta’s proposal to determine its eligibility as a project of national interest. Farrell expressed her desire for a four to five-month timeframe but admitted she couldn’t confirm it confidently.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the suggested timeline as too lengthy and called for immediate approval. Poilievre emphasized that if the federal government and Mark Carney remove obstacles, private investments worth billions could swiftly materialize to construct the pipeline.
Prime Minister Mark Carney established the MPO to streamline the approval process for major projects. The office serves as the primary contact point for project proponents and aims to expedite project approvals. Eligible projects encompass various infrastructures such as highways, railways, ports, airports, pipelines, minerals, mines, nuclear facilities, and electrical transmission projects.
Different stakeholders, including provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and private entities, can submit project proposals to the MPO for evaluation. The office assesses these proposals against specific benchmarks related to national benefits, success likelihood, Indigenous interests, and climate objectives.
Upon qualifying, the MPO recommends projects to the responsible minister for potential inclusion in Schedule One of the Building Canada Act, designating them as projects of national interest. This new system aims to reduce approval timelines to around two years.
In a separate development, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith disclosed plans to submit a formal application for a new pipeline project. Alberta is committing funds to advance the proposal and is leading a technical advisory group involving major pipeline companies. However, B.C. Premier David Eby expressed concerns over pitching a pipeline without a secured proponent, funding, or environmental approvals, emphasizing the need for genuine projects and community support.
Poilievre underscored that federal approval for the pipeline lies within the government’s jurisdiction and dismissed Eby’s objections as unworthy of attention.