The Canadian federal government plans to introduce significant legislation on Monday aimed at accelerating project approvals and updating labour laws as Parliament resumes its session. The bill, titled the Building Canada Strong Act, is intended to streamline federal project reviews by ensuring a single review process and a decision within one year.
Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the bill’s importance during a speech to Liberal MPs on Friday, describing it as potentially the most consequential economic legislation of the current parliamentary session and possibly for the next several years. He confirmed the legislation’s introduction during a news conference on Sunday alongside Jonas Gahr Store, Prime Minister of Norway.
The government has conducted consultations on the proposals, releasing reports earlier this year that summarized public and stakeholder feedback. According to Carney, the legislation has been adjusted in response to the input, which included concerns from Indigenous leaders and labour unions. The Canadian Labour Congress has voiced reservations over parts of the bill, particularly provisions it believes could restrict collective bargaining rights and encourage federal intervention to end strikes and lockouts.
Three federal ministers—Steven MacKinnon, Dominic LeBlanc, and Patty Hajdu—are expected to address the media Monday to discuss the new legislation, which the government says will promote a more competitive, resilient, and independent Canadian economy.
Meanwhile, Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre outlined the party’s priorities for the parliamentary session in an open letter to the Prime Minister issued Sunday. Poilievre called for simplifying the tax code, repealing laws that delay project approvals, improving immigration and public safety measures, and providing clarity about Canada’s potential associate membership in the European Union. He criticized what he described as excessive rhetoric and symbolic political actions that do not directly address Canadians’ everyday concerns.
In addition to the Building Canada Strong Act, another bill that may be introduced Monday seeks to extend the federal gas tax relief, following an announcement by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne earlier this month.
Parliament will also resume debating several ongoing legislative initiatives. Notably, Bill C-22, the lawful access bill now before the Senate, would empower the Public Safety Minister to issue secret orders requiring electronic service providers to assist law enforcement and intelligence agencies in data interception. The measure has faced opposition from civil liberties advocates, Canadian and U.S. tech companies including Google, Apple, and Meta, as well as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Amendments approved by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree aim to address concerns related to encryption and privacy.
Other bills expected to receive attention include Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, which seeks to ban social media use for youth under 16 and regulate AI-generated content; Bill C-36, addressing data privacy and requiring companies to delete personal information upon request; Bill C-35, which aims to block imports linked to forced labour by imposing compliance verification requirements on shippers; and Bill C-37, designed to ensure safe drinking water for First Nations communities.
A contentious issue anticipated this fall involves proposed expansions to medical assistance in dying (MAID), specifically regarding eligibility for individuals whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness. A joint parliamentary committee recently recommended against expanding access, but the government has yet to announce its final position after summer consultations led by Justice Minister Sean Fraser.
As Parliament returns to session, these legislative initiatives will shape debate on Canada’s economic recovery, labor relations, digital regulation, human rights, and health policy in the months ahead.