Hello, iPolitics readers.

Welcome to Economic Insights, a twice-weekly newsletter focusing on major projects and the Canadian economy at large.

Stories we are following:

• ALBERTA tabled legislation creating a 120-day approval window for major energy projects that have at least $250 million in capital investment and completed or “substantially completed” impact assessments and Indigenous consultations. 

• Premier WAB KINEW says MANITOBA and OTTAWA are exploring near-term opportunities to increase the shipment of critical minerals from the PORT OF CHURCHILL.

A green light in 4 months

The ALBERTA government tabled new legislation mandating a 120-day approval clock for major projects that meet certain criteria. 

• The scope: To qualify, projects must be of “strategic economic importance” with a minimum $250 million investment.
• The catch: The clock only starts after environmental assessments and Indigenous consultations are “substantially” complete. 
• Greener grass: The province’s Energy Minister, BRIAN JEAN, told reporters the regulators believe 120 days is do-able, and added the U.S. can deliver approvals within the month. 
• Federal timeline: OTTAWA’s view is that a major project approval should be delivered within two years.

Kinew continues promotional tour of Port of Churchill

MARK CARNEY and WAB KINEW met Tuesday to discuss turning the PORT OF CHURCHILL into a major hub for critical minerals and energy exports to Europe.

• Strategic interest: KINEW has been relentlessly pushing for a “northern trade corridor” that could include a natural gas terminal.
• The work ahead: The feds have shortlisted the expansion as a “transformative” project, but it requires massive rail and infrastructure upgrades to handle increased capacity and icebreaking for longer shipping seasons.

By the numbers

6.7 percent: The national unemployment rate in March. 

29: The number of First Nations that own the ARCTIC GATEWAY GROUP, which operates the PORT OF CHURCHILL.

$1.4 billion: The projected cost of KINROSS’ Great Bear gold project in northwestern ONTARIO.

Major projects watch

— Newly minted QUEBEC Premier CHRISTINE FRÉCHETTE suggested on Monday that OTTAWA could intervene in negotiations with NEWFOUNDLAND over CHURCHILL FALLS if a deal isn’t reached in the coming months. 

— Prime Minister MARK CARNEY tells reporters the war on IRAN has not changed his government’s appetite for the PATHWAYS PLUS carbon capture project.

— MANGROVE LITHIUM is having a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate the launch of North America’s first electrochemical lithium refining facility in DELTA, B.C.

— KINROSS GOLD’s Great Bear project in northern Ontario achieved a regulatory milestone with the release of an impact statement and the launch of a public consultation period overseen by the IMPACT ASSESSMENT AGENCY.

— The joint House-Senate group overseeing the use of powers under Bill C-5 will summon Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC and senior members of the MAJOR PROJECTS OFFICE in the coming weeks for an update on their work under the Building Canada Act.

Headlines