Saturday, January 17, 2026
ADVT 
National

Poilievre wants 'shovel ready zones' with pre-approved construction permits

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Mar, 2025 10:40 AM
  • Poilievre wants 'shovel ready zones' with pre-approved construction permits

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wants to create what he calls "shovel ready zones" that would have pre-approved permits for major projects resources or energy projects.

In a media statement, Poilievre says that the goal is to permits in place for a mine, liquefied natural gas plant, pipeline or other major project. 

The Conservative plans says they would make sure the pre-permitted area is "safe for Canada and the environment."

Companies would then be able to buy pre-approved land for a project and receive a permit and then complete a "checklist" on how they intend to protect "nature and people."

This is the second day in a row Poilievre has made a pre-campaign pitch focused on speeding up approvals for major projects. 

In Sudbury on Wednesday, he set a deadline to green-light federal Ring of Fire permits within six months — a move that received pushback from some First Nations over concern about ignoring the legal duty to consultation.

MORE National ARTICLES

Liberal leadership hopefuls distance themselves from carbon pricing

Liberal leadership hopefuls distance themselves from carbon pricing
The three frontrunners in the Liberal leadership race have all backed away — to one degree or another — from the Liberal government's keystone climate policy in a bid to take a major Conservative line of attack off the table. The Liberals first campaigned on a carbon price in 2008 and moved to make it happen following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's election win in 2015.

Liberal leadership hopefuls distance themselves from carbon pricing

Donald Trump signals 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports could be coming Feb. 1

Donald Trump signals 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports could be coming Feb. 1
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested his administration could move ahead with with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports on Feb. 1.  He delivered the deadline on Monday evening at the White House as he signed a stack of unrelated executive orders. 

Donald Trump signals 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports could be coming Feb. 1

Inflation ticks lower to 1.8% in December, thanks in part to GST tax break

Inflation ticks lower to 1.8% in December, thanks in part to GST tax break
Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 1.8 per cent in December, thanks in large part to the federal government’s temporary tax break. Statistics Canada’s consumer price index report on Tuesday said restaurant food purchases, and alcohol bought from stores contributed the most to the deceleration.

Inflation ticks lower to 1.8% in December, thanks in part to GST tax break

Canada should focus on larger vision in talks with Trump administration: ambassador

Canada should focus on larger vision in talks with Trump administration: ambassador
Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman says it's now time for Canada to shift its strategy in its conversations with the new administration, away from a transactional approach and toward a larger vision. Hillman told The Canadian Press the goal should be to find ways for the two countries to work together to achieve some of Trump's goals.

Canada should focus on larger vision in talks with Trump administration: ambassador

RCMP Black Hawk helicopters start patrolling Manitoba-U.S. border

RCMP Black Hawk helicopters start patrolling Manitoba-U.S. border
RCMP in Manitoba say residents near the U.S. border could start seeing and hearing Black Hawk helicopters on a regular basis as the national police force bolsters its presence in the area. The first patrol flight took off a day before the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump on Monday. 

RCMP Black Hawk helicopters start patrolling Manitoba-U.S. border

1 in hospital in Kelowna shooting

1 in hospital in Kelowna shooting
Kelowna R-C-M-P are investigating a weekend shooting that sent one person to hospital. The Mounties say a male arrived at Kelowna General Hospital early Sunday morning suffering from non-life-threatening injuries after being shot.

1 in hospital in Kelowna shooting