On June 28, 2025, the federal government passed the Building Canada Act (BCA), a law aimed at fast-tracking the approval of projects deemed to be in the national interest. In August, the federal government launched the Major Projects Office, which has a mandate to help fast-track projects deemed to be “nation-building” by helping streamline federal regulatory processes and coordinate and structure financing. On September 11, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that he would be referring a set of projects to the Major Projects Office, with more to be announced in the upcoming months.

It appears that while the Major Projects Office will play a role in fast tracking all “nation-building” or “national interest” projects, only some of those projects will be fast tracked under the BCA. 

This briefing note answers key questions about Bill C-5, how projects are designated and reviewed, and whether and when Indigenous consultation and public participation might occur:
 

• What does the Building Canada Act do?
• How are projects designated?
• What does the “national interest” mean?
• What is the Major Projects Office?
• Will national interest projects go through an environmental impact assessment?
• How will projects be reviewed?
• Can environmental standards be weakened or bypassed?
• Will Indigenous peoples be consulted on national interest projects?
• Will Indigenous rights be respected?
• Will the public be able to participate?
• Will information be made public?
• Can project approvals be revoked?
• Can conditions be changed?
• Does the Building Canada Act do away with provincial reviews and approvals?