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ARTICLE · 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

Bill C-39: A New Era For Canadian Mining Project Approvals?

Cassels
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The Canadian government has introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, proposing sweeping reforms to federal project approval processes that could fundamentally reshape mining project development and financing. The legislation aims to consolidate multiple federal reviews into a single coordinated process with a one-year decision timeline, while maintaining environmental protections and Indigenous consultation requirements.

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Jennifer Wasylyk
Jennifer Wasylyk
Carla Potter
Carla Potter
Andrea Tomko
Andrea Tomko
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Federal Government Proposes Significant Changes to Project Permitting, Indigenous Consultation and Major Project Delivery

The Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, proposing what may be the most significant reform of the federal project approval framework in a generation. The legislation is intended to accelerate the development of major projects across Canada by creating a coordinated federal review process, centralizing Indigenous consultation and establishing a one-year timeline for federal decisions once project applications are complete. More details can be found in the recent Cassels insight, Bill C-39: Building Canada Strong Act Proposes Major Changes to Project Approvals, Trade Infrastructure, and Federal Labour Relations.

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