On June 24, three federal ministers announced that Canada is initiating the formal process to designate three major infrastructure projects as priorities of national interest under the Building Canada Act — the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Grays Bay Road and Port, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Deep Geological Repository. It is the first time any projects have been considered for listing under the legislation since it received Royal Assent in June 2025.
Three projects referred for national interest listing
Ministers Tim Hodgson, Steven MacKinnon, and Rebecca Alty made the June 24 announcement jointly, sending a clear signal of federal intent. The projects under consideration are the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Grays Bay Road and Port, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Deep Geological Repository—the last of these is located near Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace area in northwestern Ontario.
The Building Canada Act is relatively recent legislation, having received Royal Assent on June 26, 2025, as part of Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act. These are among the first projects considered for listing under it—following an initial set of national interest projects designated in September 2025—marking a major milestone in how Ottawa approaches major infrastructure approvals.
The two northern projects moved first. The Grays Bay Road and Port and the Mackenzie Valley Highway were both referred to the Major Projects Office in March 2026. The Deep Geological Repository followed on June 24, when the government formally referred it to the MPO alongside the ministerial announcement.
Why the government is pursuing listing under the act
The Building Canada Act was designed with a specific purpose: to streamline and consolidate federal permits and authorizations for projects the government determines to be in the national interest. The process is intended to reduce delays, improve coordination across federal departments, and give project proponents greater certainty about timelines.
One of the most consequential effects of listing is a shift in regulatory framing. Rather than asking whether a project should proceed, the focus moves to how it will proceed — a distinction that carries real weight for investors and developers who need predictability before committing long-term capital.
For the two northern projects, the rationale centers on Arctic security and economic connectivity. The Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Grays Bay Road and Port are viewed as critical infrastructure for linking remote northern communities, reinforcing Canada’s Arctic presence, and enabling the development of critical minerals that are increasingly central to both domestic and allied supply chains.
The Deep Geological Repository carries a different but equally strategic rationale. Described as a world-recognized best practice for the safe, long-term storage of used nuclear fuel from Canada’s existing reactor fleet, its potential listing is directly tied to Canada’s new Nuclear Energy Strategy, which positions nuclear power as a key pillar of the country’s clean energy future.
Economic and energy implications of the three projects
The scale of ambition behind these listings comes into sharper focus when you consider the broader MPO portfolio. The 16 projects and seven transformative strategies currently supported by the MPO represent a combined investment of more than $135 billion and are expected to create tens of thousands of well-paying jobs for Canadians.
The DGR’s economic case extends well beyond construction employment. By providing a permanent solution for used nuclear fuel storage, the repository would support the continued safe operation of Canada’s existing nuclear power facilities and enable expansion of the nuclear fleet—a precondition for meeting growing electricity demand as Canada pursues decarbonization.
The northern infrastructure projects carry their own economic logic. The Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Grays Bay Road and Port would establish new transportation corridors into Canada’s North, opening access to natural resource exploration and development, particularly for the critical minerals that Canada and its trading partners increasingly need.
For investors, listing under the Act offers something tangible: a more stable and predictable regulatory environment. That stability could be the deciding factor between a project securing long-term capital commitments and remaining stalled at the planning stage.
Indigenous consultation requirements and next steps
The government has been explicit that Indigenous support is critical to these projects moving forward. Consultations with impacted Indigenous rights holders, communities, provinces, and territories are set to begin in the coming weeks for each project.
The legal framework guiding that consultation is clearly established. The government’s duty to consult is grounded in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and further informed by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, as well as modern treaties and self-government agreements.
An additional condition applies specifically to the two northern projects. Listing under the Act is contingent on both the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Grays Bay Road and Port successfully completing treaty-based impact assessments and regulatory processes—requirements that reflect the distinct governance structures applicable in the North.
The government has set a target of reaching a listing decision on all three projects by fall 2026. One clarification is worth noting for the DGR in particular: listing under the Building Canada Act would not alter Canada’s existing obligations under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. Safety decisions under that legislation remain entirely separate from the national interest listing process.
Two northern infrastructure corridors and one nuclear waste repository are now formally under consideration for designation as national interest priorities. The consultations ahead will be decisive, and the government’s fall 2026 timeline sets a clear benchmark for what comes next.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
