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ARTICLE · 10 DECEMBER 2025

Building Canada: Advancing National Priorities And Projects

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
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The Building Canada Act (BCA), known colloquially as Bill C-5, aims to expedite development of "national interest projects" (NI Projects) by streamlining federal approval processes.

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Maureen Killoran
Maureen Killoran
Sander Duncanson
Sander Duncanson
Paula Olexiuk
Paula Olexiuk
Brad Gilmour
Brad Gilmour
Sean Sutherland
Sean Sutherland
Maeve O'Neill Sanger
Maeve O'Neill Sanger
Jamie Bell
Jamie Bell
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Key takeaways

  • The Building Canada Act (BCA) aims to expedite national interest projects by streamlining federal approvals through the Major Projects Office.
  • The BCA allows the government to designate national interest projects based on criteria like economic benefit, national security and support for Indigenous interests.
  • While the BCA offers a potential reduction in regulatory burden, risks include potential legal challenges and the need for compliance with all authorizations.

The Building Canada Act (BCA), known colloquially as Bill C-5, aims to expedite development of "national interest projects" (NI Projects) by streamlining federal approval processes. It creates the Major Projects Office (MPO), which is located in Calgary and is intended to be a single point of contact between proponents and the federal government. The BCA establishes a process through which projects are essentially guaranteed federal permits, thereby providing greater project

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