Carney Says a Big New Projects Bill Is Coming Soon

Prime Minister Mark Carney told Liberal MPs in Ottawa on Sept. 18 that a big new economic bill is coming this fall. He said Parliament will work fast when it returns Monday.

The bill is called the Building Canada Strong Act. He said it is the next step to approve infrastructure and other projects faster. At the Friday meeting of Liberal MPs, he said, "It's a lot, but that was just the warm-up." The Globe and Mail

The broader context here is that Carney wants to show quick results. The real test will be what is in the bill and if it can pass.

The package

Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon told MPs what the bill will cover. It will change federal workplace rules, improve the delivery of goods, and cut approval times for all projects to one year. The Globe and Mail Think of approvals like a lineup. Ottawa wants everyone through in 12 months.

This builds on an earlier law, the Building Canada Act. That law set up the Major Projects Office to help big projects seen as potentially in the national interest. The new bill would go further and change the rules for all projects. Ottawa did not share exact details at the meeting.

For context, putting these three areas in one bill makes it wide-ranging. A projects office works inside current rules. This bill would change the rules. Close study in committee will matter.

Carney leads a minority government. That means his party does not hold most seats and needs help from other parties to pass laws. CBC

In practical terms, a wide bill in a minority Parliament brings chances and risks. There are more places to make deals. There are also more places for fights.

The order paper

This bill will not be alone. One of the first bills will extend the fuel excise tax, a tax charged on fuel sales. Penticton Herald Carney announced that extension on Sept. 2.

Tax bills often move first because Ottawa needs a law to collect the money.

For context, passing the fuel tax early would be a quick win while MPs debate the bigger bill.

Making life cheaper is still on the list. In May, Carney said his government would bring in bills to make life more affordable right away. CBC That was a spring promise, not the fall list.

The Liberals added three MPs after winning several by-elections in August. The Globe and Mail Three seats do not end a minority.

For context, three new MPs still help with committee work, daily duties and team energy before a busy session. A fast pace means long hours and several bills at once. Opposition MPs will need to pick where to focus.

The external track

Carney spoke to investors in Toronto at the Canada Investment Summit on Sept. 15. Reuters He was set to travel to Strasbourg in September 2026. Reuters

He has called teamwork between Canada and the European Union a "unique alliance." Reuters

The broader context here is that the timing is planned. First a message to investors, then to MPs, then to Europe. People outside Ottawa will ask where projects go and who builds them. People in Ottawa will ask who decides and when.

In practical terms, Carney is linking faster approvals to jobs and money. Faster approvals and better delivery appeal to business. Workplace rule changes matter to unions and federally regulated employers. The fuel tax matters to drivers and to steady revenue. Each group will hear the same plan in a different way.

Looking at what this means for the fall, watch three things. First, if the three parts stay in one bill. Second, how fast the fuel tax passes. Third, if the Major Projects Office changes to match the one-year rule. Those answers will show if "warm-up" was talk or a plan.