Carney to announce new nation-building projects in mining and energy sectors

Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing to unveil the second phase of Canada’s nation-building projects on Thursday, with a focus on major mining and energy developments, according to sources familiar with the plan. The upcoming list, expected to be announced in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, will reportedly include four key initiatives: The Ksi Lisims LNG project in northern B.C., the Crawford nickel project in Ontario, the Sisson Mine in New Brunswick and a new hydroelectric development in Iqaluit
Officials note the list could still change before the formal announcement.

The new projects fall under the federal government’s broader strategy to fast-track developments deemed essential for Canada’s economic growth, energy security, and critical minerals strategy. The initiative is being coordinated through the Major Projects Office (MPO), established under the Building Canada Act (Bill C-5), which passed Parliament in June. Led by Dawn Farrell, former CEO of Trans Mountain Corporation, the MPO was created in August to streamline approvals and remove bureaucratic delays for projects of national importance. The Carney government has described the office as a key tool to “build faster and smarter,” especially in sectors linked to clean energy, resource extraction, and infrastructure.

The Ksi Lisims LNG project, a 12-million-tonne floating export facility near Prince Rupert, was approved by B.C. regulators in September and is jointly backed by the Nisga’a Nation, Rockies LNG, and Western LNG LLC. However, it faces legal challenges from the Lax Kw’alaams Band and the Metlakatla First Nation, who argue the consultation process was inadequate. Meanwhile, the Sisson Mine in New Brunswick — a proposed tungsten and molybdenum development — has been mired in environmental assessments and court delays for more than a decade. Ottawa recently provided $8.2 million to developer Northcliff Resources for a new feasibility study, and the U.S. Department of Defense contributed an additional $20.7 million, citing the mine’s potential to strengthen North American supply chains for critical minerals. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt confirmed this week that her province will receive one of the newly announced projects, though she declined to specify which one, saying only that it would not involve energy “interties” related to existing transmission projects.

Carney has emphasized that the major-projects list will remain “a living list” — one that evolves as new proposals are assessed and approved. The first phase, revealed in September, included an LNG expansion, a nuclear facility, a container terminal, and several mining projects already under construction. By unveiling this next round of investments ahead of the Grey Cup on November 16, the Carney government is positioning the initiative as a symbol of economic resilience and industrial renewal, aiming to balance Canada’s green transition with long-term resource development.