The nation-building initiative of retrofitting Canada’s buildings
Simply speeding up approvals for a few infrastructure projects does not build us a new Canada. Going bigger and broader—focusing on infrastructure that could directly improve the lives of literally every Canadian and aiming to help solve numerous crises at once—now that’s smart, strategic and forward-thinking nation-building.
By rail, road and sea: Western export infrastructure needs a refresh
Improving trade corridors does not rest solely on the shoulders of one government or industry. It requires formal cooperation and coordination to drive targeted, long-term investment.
We need a fix for bureaucratic delays—but is it a pipe dream?
The prime minister could and should spend his entire mandate trying to do this. But this is a classic example of a problem where the people responsible for fixing it are the same people who are the problem.
It’s time we treat campus infrastructure as a nation-building project
Investments in universities are practical and high-impact investments that will create new jobs, deliver value for taxpayers and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness.
House committee summons ministers, CEOs to testify on $1-billion loan for Chinese-made ships
BC Ferries announced in June plans to purchase four ships built by a Chinese state-owned company, with help from a Canada Infrastructure Bank loan. Now, MPs are calling on Ministers Gregor Robertson and Chrystia Freeland to answer for what Conservatives call an ‘outrageous’ loan.
Environment groups want ‘national interest’ defined in Liberals’ One Economy law
The government needs to have a ‘national conversation’ about what it means to have a project meet Bill C-5’s criteria, says Anna Johnston, a staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law.
Federal major projects office ‘should not take the place of proper consultation with First Nations,’ says AFN national chief
Bill C-5 will create a major projects office with an advisory council of Indigenous representatives, but leaders from those groups are still waiting for details as to what that means for their input.
Certainly in chaos: Canada’s path to unshakable leadership
By shifting project approvals from ‘whether’ to ‘how,’ streamlining interprovincial trade, and accelerating infrastructure, the One Canadian Economy Act is a positive step. Now, that same urgency must be applied to empower Canadian city regions to compete globally while safeguarding our national interest—and win.
Turning goals into results
In a country of many competing interests and multiple governments, getting them all to co-ordinate their activities to achieve the ambitious goals outlined at the beginning of this piece will be complicated and difficult.
Breaking down C-5: Carney’s ‘build, baby, build’ bill draws support from business sector, but heavy pushback from environmental, Indigenous groups
Bill C-5’s two major components seek to address internal trade barriers, and to fast-track national interest projects.
