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B.C. Introduces Infrastructure Projects Act to Fast-Track Key Developments

The legislation grants cabinet authority to expedite approvals for significant public and private projects, addressing long-standing permitting delays.

UNBC president Geoff Payne, seen in a file photo, is in favour of new provincial infrastructure legislation.
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Teck's Highland Valley Copper mine is pictured in British Columbia's interior, Sunday, March 26, 2017.

Overview

  • The Infrastructure Projects Act empowers the B.C. cabinet to designate projects as provincially significant, streamlining their approval process.
  • The legislation introduces alternative environmental assessments to accelerate permitting without compromising assessment quality or First Nations obligations.
  • An initial list of priority projects includes critical minerals, housing, disaster recovery, and trade diversification, while excluding pipelines and LNG facilities.
  • Municipalities can request project delays to meet local planning requirements, but the province retains override powers for significant initiatives.
  • The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association criticized the selective project designation process, despite supporting efforts to reduce permitting delays.