The federal government is introducing new Build Canada Strong legislation as Parliament resumes, launching a major economic and regulatory push aimed at speeding up nation-building projects and strengthening Canada’s domestic economy.
Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu were scheduled to outline the legislation in Ottawa on Monday, September 21, 2026.
The government says the package is intended to create greater certainty for a more competitive, resilient and independent Canadian economy. The announcement comes after a three-month summer break for the House of Commons and marks one of the first major legislative tests of the fall sitting.
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What the Build Canada Strong legislation is expected to do
Prime Minister Mark Carney has described the proposed framework as the Build Canada Strong Act. In remarks at the Canada Investment Summit on September 15, he said the government wants to apply the faster approval model used by the Major Projects Office more broadly across projects and supply chains.
Carney’s stated standard is “one project, one review, one year.” The government says the objective is to reduce duplication, provide clearer timelines and make it easier for investors and communities to understand how major projects will be assessed.
The proposed approach is expected to affect infrastructure and other projects considered important to Canada’s economic and strategic interests. The government has previously identified ports, mines and energy corridors as examples of nation-building initiatives being considered through the Major Projects Office.
However, the one-year standard is a policy objective rather than a guarantee that every project will receive approval within 12 months. The final legislation will determine which projects are covered, how the review period is calculated and how federal processes interact with provincial, territorial and Indigenous consultation requirements.
Why Ottawa is moving now
The legislation is being introduced as Canada faces continued pressure to attract investment, strengthen supply chains and reduce dependence on a single trading partner.
At the investment summit, Carney said the government wants to catalyse $1 trillion in investment over the next five years across energy, transportation, data, defence and other sectors. He also said 27 initiatives had been referred to the Major Projects Office, representing what the government described as up to $500 billion in potential private investment opportunities.
The government’s broader economic agenda includes the Canada Strong Fund, new infrastructure spending and measures intended to make capital investment more attractive. Ottawa has also promoted the Build Communities Strong Fund, which provides $51 billion over 10 years for infrastructure, housing, transit, health, education and climate adaptation projects.
Supporters of the legislation are likely to argue that faster decisions could help Canada build housing, energy infrastructure, transportation links and critical-mineral projects more efficiently. The government says speed and predictability are increasingly important as countries compete for capital and seek greater control over essential supply chains.
Labour rules are also part of the wider agenda
The legislation arrives after the federal government conducted consultations on possible changes to labour relations and worker protections under the Canada Labour Code and the Wage Earner Protection Program Act.
Those consultations examined issues including bargaining timelines, mediation, the use of section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, expedited grievance arbitration, wage theft and protections for workers affected by automation and artificial intelligence.
The government has said any changes should be targeted rather than broad. The participation of Hajdu, the federal minister responsible for jobs and families, in the legislation announcement suggests that worker-related measures may form part of the government’s broader fall agenda, although the final scope will depend on the bill’s text.
What happens next
The legislation must be introduced in the House of Commons before MPs can debate its contents. It will then face debate at second reading, committee study, report stage and third reading before moving to the Senate.
Opposition parties are expected to scrutinize how the proposal balances faster approvals with environmental assessment, Indigenous rights, public participation and provincial jurisdiction.
The government’s majority position could make it easier for the bill to advance, but the details of the legislation will determine whether it attracts support beyond the governing party.
For Canadians, the immediate impact will depend on the projects and regulatory processes included in the bill. No changes to individual project timelines take effect simply because the legislation has been announced. Any new rules would generally apply only after Parliament passes the bill and the government brings the relevant provisions into force.
Ottawa is presenting the measure as a central part of its plan to build a stronger and more self-reliant economy. The next stage will be the parliamentary debate over how quickly Canada should build, what safeguards remain in place and who has the final say when major projects are proposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Build Canada Strong legislation?
It is proposed federal legislation intended to speed up approvals for major projects and create more certainty for infrastructure, supply chains and investment.
What does “one project, one review, one year” mean?
It is the government’s stated approval objective for projects and supply chains. The bill will determine how the timeline works and which projects are covered.
Has the legislation already become law?
No. The proposal must pass through the House of Commons and Senate before it can become law.
Will the legislation immediately change project timelines?
No. An announcement does not change existing approvals. New rules would apply only after Parliament passes the bill and the relevant provisions come into force.
Could the bill include labour-law changes?
The government has been consulting on federal labour-law and worker-protection changes, but the final measures cannot be confirmed until the legislation is tabled.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against Government of Canada announcements, the Prime Minister’s official remarks and federal consultation documents.
Disclaimer: The legislation may change during parliamentary debate, committee study or Senate review before any provisions take effect.