Canada used to be a country that built things. We were a nation of visionaries who saw vast potential in our land and turned it into prosperity. The transcontinental railway, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the oil sands, bridges that connect provinces and countries, hydroelectric megaprojects—these were bold undertakings that created jobs, drove economic growth, and solidified Canada’s standing as a vibrant and reliable trading nation.
But today, Canada has become a place where getting major projects approved and built is increasingly difficult, if not impossible, especially for private-sector proponents.
The reality is stark: capital investment in Canada has been flat for over a decade, and much of it is now flowing elsewhere. The problem? Our slow, unclear, and overly bureaucratic regulatory processes are discouraging investment and stifling growth. Simply put, it cannot take 15 years to approve and construct a new mine. If we want to maintain and enhance our economic competitiveness, we must overhaul our project approval processes and put Canada’s future first.
Canada’s competitive advantage is being squandered
Canada has massive resource wealth and strategic advantages. We have world-class engineers, tradespeople, and industry expertise. Our trading partners want the minerals, commodities, and energy we can provide. And we have an obligation to develop these resources responsibly—both for our economic future and for global security.
Yet, our current regulatory system is failing us. Introduced under Bill C-69, Canada’s major project review framework has created an overly complex and unpredictable process that deters investment and innovation. Reviews take too long, regulatory burdens are a lethal combination of uncertain and unclear, and political interference is significant. A CEO cannot stand in front of their board and answer the two questions they need to in order to allocate capital: “How much is it going to cost, and how long is this going to take?”
The current system is designed to find reasons to say “no” instead of enabling responsible projects to move forward. We need a regulatory framework that empowers Canada to stand strong on the world stage—one that fosters growth, innovation, and prosperity for generations to come. For too long our system has been designed to stop bad things from happening with major projects; now is the time to redesign the system to make the right projects happen faster.
A blueprint for reform
To restore confidence in Canada’s project approval processes, we need a regulatory system that is faster, more efficient, and more predictable while still safeguarding environmental, Indigenous, and community obligations. The Business Council of Alberta has identified several key areas where reform is critical. In our policy blueprint for reform, Canada needs to:
1. Shorten project review timelines and adjust risk tolerance
We must ensure that review timelines align with business decision-making cycles. If a project takes longer to approve than it does to construct, we are failing.
The process should be scaled to the complexity and risk of a project. Simple, low-risk projects should move quickly, while larger projects receive necessary but efficient scrutiny.
Last-minute regulatory demands that delay approvals or force businesses to extend timelines must be prohibited. Government agencies should not be allowed to extend review timelines indefinitely.
2. Ensure federal and provincial cooperation
The principle of “one project, one review” must be the standard. Federal and provincial governments should align their reviews or substitute one process for another to prevent duplication and delays.
Political infighting between jurisdictions must not be allowed to interfere with project approvals. Federal paramountcy should be exercised when necessary to prevent provincial or municipal permitting bodies from obstructing federally approved projects or those in the national interest.
3. Reduce bureaucratic overreach and red tape
Regulatory agencies need to limit project assessments to issues directly within their jurisdiction and expertise. Too often, regulatory creep expands the scope of reviews beyond what is necessary, slowing down approvals. Agencies should not use project reviews as a vehicle to explore their “academic curiosities,” but today they are.
Superfluous stakeholder interventions need to be reined in. We must reintroduce the concept of “standing”—only those who are truly affected have an ability to intervene. While public input is essential, it must be targeted and relevant, rather than an avenue for obstructing development.
4. Improve Indigenous participation in project reviews
Indigenous communities must be fully included in project approvals in a way that advances economic reconciliation. This means removing barriers to participation and ensuring clarity on roles from the outset.
The process must provide certainty for Indigenous economic partnerships, allowing communities to benefit from responsible resource development.
5. Stop bureaucratic disruptions of construction windows
Many major projects depend on narrow construction timelines due to environmental considerations such as wildlife migration patterns. Missing a construction window can delay a project by years.
Regulatory agencies must recognize and respond to this reality and be aligned to ensure that projects can meet their construction schedules without unnecessary government-induced delays.
The stakes are too high to ignore
Canada is at an economic crossroads. If we continue down the path of regulatory paralysis, we will see more capital flight, fewer job opportunities, and diminishing economic growth. However, if we make meaningful reforms to our project approval processes, we can unlock billions in investment, create tens of thousands of well-paying jobs, and secure Canada’s position as a global leader in energy, mining, and infrastructure. We can build a strong Canada and a good life for Canadians.
But to build that country and life, we must return to being a country that literally builds. That means fixing our broken regulatory system so that major projects can be approved efficiently, responsibly, and predictably. We can do this while still upholding world-class environmental and safety standards and the critical involvement of Indigenous Peoples. What we cannot do is let bureaucracy, political interference, and inefficiency continue to hold us back.
It is time for Canada to put itself first, stand strong, and get back to work. The prosperity of future generations depends on it.
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