OTTAWA, ON, Sep. 21, 2026 (CNW Group via COMTEX) --
 The world is changing rapidly. In response, Canada is focused on what we can control: building a stronger, more independent, and more sustainable economy. We are leveraging our strengths and moving with speed to open new markets, strengthen supply chains, accelerate projects, and unlock our natural resources. As we build, we are ensuring workers have the protections, security, and opportunities they need to succeed, creating good jobs and greater prosperity for Canadians.
To that end, today, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-39 [the Building Canada Strong Act] to bring greater speed, certainty, and predictability to infrastructure project reviews, and support the workers who will build them. This will give business the confidence to invest in Canada, accelerate projects, and drive long-term growth and prosperity that protects the environment and upholds Indigenous rights. Bill C-39 is the most comprehensive and ambitious reform to Canada's ability to get big things built in a generation. It will reshape the regulatory approvals process, maintain Canada's rigorous standards and uphold Indigenous rights.
The proposed legislation will:
The proposed measures were informed by cross-country engagement with workers, unions, employers, Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, industry, and other partners. They told us clearly what Canada needs to build a stronger economy. The Building Canada Strong Act responds to that. It accelerates projects that harness Canada's energy and natural resources, strengthens the transportation and supply chains that connect them to global markets, and builds safer workplaces with strong protections and security for workers. Â
The Government of Canada is moving quickly and diligently to advance these proposals, including through parliamentary review and continued collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), industry and unions. In parallel with this legislation, the Government of Canada has issued a Cabinet Directive to complete federal reviews and make project decisions in no more than one year. These decisions will align with the government's priorities for economic growth and security, Indigenous reconciliation, and environmental protection, including through applying a mitigation hierarchy policy to project reviews and decisions, in alignment with Canada's Nature Strategy.
Canada has what the world wants, and the talent to deliver it. The Building Canada Strong Act will allow us to move faster to build, invest, trade, and create high-paying Canadian careers. In a rapidly changing world, we are unlocking Canada's full economic potential and building a stronger, more independent, and more sustainable Canadian economy for all.
Quotes
"Canada is a country of high standards, but high standards do not require slow decisions. Our government is bringing speed, certainty, and predictability to how we build, so investors know that when Canada says it wants something built, Canadians will get it built. In a more uncertain world, we will control our own future."â?? The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
"Canada is building big and creating certainty for a stronger, more competitive, and independent Canadian economy. We have already begun by accelerating major nation building projects through the Major Projects Office, and now we will apply the same efficiency more broadly through this Act. Our standards are simple: one project, one review, one year."â??The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy
"Canada's success depends on growing our economy and getting Canadian products to global markets efficiently and affordably. By modernizing our transportation system and reducing red tape, we are helping move goods more quickly, strengthening supply chains, attracting investment, and reinforcing Canada's position as a reliable trading partner. These measures would help create jobs, support businesses, and build a stronger economy for Canadians."â??The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
"Strong labour relations are essential to the success of Canadian workers, businesses and our economy. As workplaces continue to evolve, our labour laws must keep pace to ensure workers are protected and workplaces remain fair and safe. This legislation will protect the right to strike while reinforcing the responsibility of unions and employers to negotiate in good faith, helping ensure workers and employers can continue to navigate challenges together."â?? The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
"Canadians expect us to build the projects that grow our economy while protecting the environment and advancing reconciliation through meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples. This legislation maintains rigorous assessments and strong environmental safeguards while giving proponents the certainty they need to invest, including in the clean energy projects that are a building block of a net zero economy."â?? The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency
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SOURCE President of the Kingâ??s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy
SOURCE: President of the Kingâ??s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy
Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Gabriel Brunet, Director
of Communications, Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's
Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade,
Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, 819-665-6527,
gabriel.brunet@iga-aig.gc.ca; Marie-Justine Torres, Press Secretary and Senior
Communications Advisor, Office of the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of
Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Ottawa, 613-327-5918,
marie-justine.torres@tc.gc.ca; Jennifer Kozelj, Press Secretary and Senior
Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister
responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario,
jennifer.kozelj@labour-travail.gc.ca; Media Relations: Privy Council Office,
613-957-5420, media@pco-bcp.gc.ca; Media relations: Transport Canada, Ottawa,
613-993-0055, media@tc.gc.ca; Media Relations Office: Employment and Social
Development Canada, 819-994-5559, media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
COMTEX_493045263/2197/2026-09-21T16:12:00
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