Monday, January 19, 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

Trudeau travelling to Washington for former U.S. president Jimmy Carter's funeral

Trudeau travelling to Washington for former U.S. president Jimmy Carter's funeral
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office says he will attend former U.S. president Jimmy Carter's funeral in Washington, D.C. on January 9. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. He was the 39th president of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981.

Trudeau travelling to Washington for former U.S. president Jimmy Carter's funeral

Sea sponges' sneeze like people

Sea sponges' sneeze like people
Researchers have discovered sea sponges' ability to sneeze like people after a study off the B-C coast. University of Alberta professor Sally Leys says a study into the behaviour of a sea sponge nicknamed Belinda over four years found the animal doing slow-motion sneeze-like contractions lasting about a day.

Sea sponges' sneeze like people

Thousands at Fort McMurray picket lines

Thousands at Fort McMurray picket lines
The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the main sticking point is wages and that its members haven't seen a pay increase in well over a decade. School support workers encompass staffers from custodians and administration workers to tradespeople and education assistants.

Thousands at Fort McMurray picket lines

Health officials report a death in a Winnipeg hospital emergency department

Health officials report a death in a Winnipeg hospital emergency department
Health officials are investigating a death at a Winnipeg hospital. Officials at the Health Sciences Centre say a middle-aged man arrived shortly after midnight Tuesday morning at the hospital's emergency department, was triaged as a lower-acuity case and directed to the waiting room.

Health officials report a death in a Winnipeg hospital emergency department

Passenger of semi-truck taken to hospital after crash involving train near Edmonton

Passenger of semi-truck taken to hospital after crash involving train near Edmonton
Alberta RCMP say one person has been airlifted to hospital after a collision involving a CN train and a semi-truck north of Edmonton. Mounties say officers were called to the scene between Highway 44 and Township Road 570 when the train slammed into the side of the truck.

Passenger of semi-truck taken to hospital after crash involving train near Edmonton

Special prosecutor appointed in case involving relative of B.C. provincial judge

Special prosecutor appointed in case involving relative of B.C. provincial judge
The BC Prosecution Service says it has appointed a special prosecutor in a case involving a person related to a provincial court judge. It says senior lawyer Chris Johnson was chosen in order to "avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice."

Special prosecutor appointed in case involving relative of B.C. provincial judge