OTTAWA — Dawn Farrell, the former CEO of Trans Mountain, has been appointed to lead the federal government’s new office dedicated to facilitating major infrastructure projects. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that this office will serve as a centralized resource to help project proponents navigate the approval process and begin construction. The office is expected to be operational by Labour Day.

Carney expressed enthusiasm about Farrell's appointment, stating, "I am thrilled that Dawn Farrell, one of Canada’s most experienced executives, is stepping up to help lead this vital priority." The major projects office will be based in Calgary, with additional offices in other significant Canadian cities.

Farrell brings over 40 years of experience in the energy sector, having held senior positions at B.C. Hydro and TransAlta before her tenure at Trans Mountain. She currently serves as the chair of the board of directors for Trans Mountain. In her new role, Farrell will focus on expediting the regulatory approval processes for selected nation-building projects, aiming to overcome typical bureaucratic obstacles.

The office will also include an Indigenous advisory council, which will consist of representatives from First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities. The council's membership is set to be confirmed in September.

While the government is preparing to announce projects, officials have indicated that the rollout will be gradual. Canadians can expect to see one or two projects revealed at a time, starting in the next two weeks. The goal is to select projects that are nearly ready for construction in the short to medium term.

Carney mentioned that the government may prioritize two significant port expansion projects: one in Contrecoeur, located about 40 kilometers northeast of Montreal, and another at the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba, which has direct access to Hudson Bay. Both projects align with the interests of Quebec Premier François Legault and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.

The Contrecoeur project aims to enhance the capacity of the Port of Montreal, which is facing space constraints. It proposes the development of a container terminal with an annual capacity of 1.15 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). This project has undergone environmental assessments, with a 2021 federal report concluding that it is unlikely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, provided that key mitigation measures are implemented to protect wetlands and the endangered copper redhorse fish.

The Building Canada Act, passed in June, grants the federal government unprecedented powers that may allow it to bypass certain regulations designed to protect the copper redhorse. Carney emphasized the importance of the Port of Churchill, stating it has "much more to it than Contrecoeur in terms of what it potentially unlocks," particularly regarding the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and critical minerals to Europe.

In recent years, both federal and provincial governments have invested millions in the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway. They are reassessing the region's infrastructure amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States. As Canada seeks to diversify its exports, enhancing its only deep-water Arctic port could improve shipping routes in the northern corridor. Additionally, the shipping season is expected to extend due to warmer temperatures linked to climate change. However, this increase in activity raises questions about the need for additional infrastructure and housing in the northern areas of the province.