Canada introduces Building Canada Strong Act to reform approvals and labour law

The Canadian federal government has introduced Bill C-39, known as the ‘Building Canada Strong Act’, which proposes significant changes to both infrastructure project approvals and federal labour laws.

Regarding industrial development, the bill aims to implement a ‘one project, one decision, in one year’ framework. This would transition federal assessments, permits, and consultations from sequential to concurrent reviews to reduce duplication and increase certainty for investors. The Advanced Biofuels Canada Association has welcomed the move, stating that faster approval processes could accelerate the production of low-carbon fuels and emissions reductions.

In the realm of labour relations, the legislation proposes changes for federally regulated sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and transportation. Key provisions include requiring earlier engagement in collective bargaining for high-risk relationships—starting negotiations six months before an agreement expires rather than four—and extending the conciliation period from 60 to 90 days. These measures are intended to facilitate earlier dispute resolution and reduce the likelihood of strikes or lockouts.