Mark Carney unveils latest round of 'nation-building projects'

Announcement part of federal government’s efforts to 'transform' Canada’s economy.

By Bryan Passifiume (read in the Toronto Sun)

OTTAWA — There were few surprises Thursday when Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled Canada’s latest series of “nation-building” projects.

Speaking to reporters from the site of one of those projects in the west-central B.C. town of Terrace, Carney said the projects are part of his government’s efforts to “transform” Canada’s economy.

“The world, the U.S., is changing rapidly, and so we must change our strategy dramatically,” he said during Thursday afternoon’s news conference.

“We are doing that by drawing on our legacy as builders — a legacy forged by the people of British Columbia.”

Projects include LNG terminal, mines, electrical projects
Media outlets spent the week reporting on a “leaked” list of projects.

Carney’s news conference took place at the terminus of the North Coast Transmission line — a $6 billion, 450-km hydro corridor stretching between Prince George and Terrace.

Other projects unveiled Thursday include:

– Ksi Lisims LNG project, a floating LNG export facility near Prince Rupert

– Hydroelectric generation along the Kuugaluk River in Nunavut, about 60 km. northeast of Iqaluit

– Canada Nickel Company’s Crawford mine near Timmins, Ont.

– Nouveau Monde graphite mine in northern Quebec

– Northcliff Resources’ Sisson tungsten mine near Fredericton

Carney had promised the second round of projects would be unveiled before this Sunday’s Grey Cup, where the Montreal Alouettes are set to battle against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Winnipeg.

That first round, Carney said at the time, represents more than $60 billion in potential revenue for Canada’s economy, and will generate tens of thousands of high-paying jobs.

Clean power essential to future projects, Carney says

To manage approval of these projects, the Liberals established a new Major Projects Office this past August in Calgary, led by former Trans Mountain Corporation CEO Dawn Farrell.

Speaking at the site of the North Coast Transmission line, which will run from Prince George to Terrace, Carney also announced a $140 million government loan to B.C. Hydro to make that project happen.

“We can unlock enormous economic opportunities by connecting and creating a sustainable grid, including right here in northern British Columbia,” Carney said, explaining that clean hydro power is key to moving these projects ahead, including the Ksi Lisims LNG project.

“Our government is launching a transformational strategy to develop that clean energy, including through new investments and tax credits for clean electricity.”

No gas pipelines in Thursday’s announcement

Thursday’s announcement wasn’t expected to include oil and gas pipelines — but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she and the federal government are working on a “memorandum of understanding” that she hopes will pave the way to build the energy infrastructure by dialling back or eliminating anti-development policies enacted by the Justin Trudeau Liberals.

Carney made no mention of this during his remarks, but when pressed by reporters he said discussions are ongoing.

“There’s a few more issues we’re working on ironing out, and I’m looking forward to that progress over the course of the coming weeks,” he said.

Reaction to projects announcement mixed

In a statement, Electricity Canada applauded the two hydroelectric projects, describing them as “meaningful momentum” toward meeting’s Canada’s electrical demands.

“Indigenous-led initiatives like this hydroelectric project for Nunavut are essential steps toward improving energy security in the North and shifting communities off diesel generation,” said a statement from Electricity Canada CEO Francis Bradley.

Peter Coleman, president of the National Citizens Coalition, told the Toronto Sun this round of projects is just as disappointing as the first.

“The project in New Brunswick (Sisson tungsten mine) was approved back in 2017,” he said.

“Carney’s been around this stuff a long time — where’s the bold, where’s the transformational, where’s the oil pipeline?”

Coleman said it’s impossible to tout “nation-building projects” without including much-needed oil and gas pipelines — not only to ship our products to overseas markets, but within Canada.

“We have what the world wants and needs,” he said.

“If we’re ever going to dig out of this financial hole, we’re going to need to create revenue.”