National

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

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Mar, 2025 10:40 AM

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.

LIVE: Just build it. https://t.co/9PfTwX81mk
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) March 20, 2025

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.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. task force aims to grow agriculture, food processing industries

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says the task force will provide recommendations to government in the next 10 months on topics such as access to water, land and labour, as well as competitiveness and investment.

B.C. task force aims to grow agriculture, food processing industries

Two drivers accused of hitting same pedestrian then leaving B.C. crash site

Mounties in Coquitlam say charges have been approved against two drivers who are accused of leaving the scene after allegedly running over the same pedestrian. Police say a lone female had the right of way at the intersection of Pinetree Way and Guildford Way in January last year when she was hit by a vehicle.

Two drivers accused of hitting same pedestrian then leaving B.C. crash site

As Trump flags timber tariffs soon, B.C. minister says impact would be 'devastating'

B.C.'s Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says the expectation of more duties and additional tariffs piled onto Canadian softwood lumber would "absolutely be devastating" for the country's industry. Parmar says the government expects the U.S. Commerce Department will issue anti-dumping duties by Friday of as much as 14 per cent, on top of the current 14.4 per cent duty.

As Trump flags timber tariffs soon, B.C. minister says impact would be 'devastating'

B.C. Conservative MLA says drug crisis cost lives of her brothers, niece and nephew

The House Leader of the Opposition B.C. Conservatives has described the "unsurmountable" personal impact of the toxic drug crisis, which she says claimed the lives of two of her brothers, a niece and a nephew. A'aliya Warbus says that just last week she attended a memorial for one brother who died from "a lethal dose of drugs" a year ago.

B.C. Conservative MLA says drug crisis cost lives of her brothers, niece and nephew

No damages reported after earthquake shakes parts of Alberta, B.C.

Earthquakes Canada says some Alberta and B.C. residents may have felt the ground shake Thursday morning. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake was detected roughly 63 kilometres northeast of Grande Cache, Alta., but it isn't believed to have caused any damage.

No damages reported after earthquake shakes parts of Alberta, B.C.

New poll says 27% of Canadians view the United States as an 'enemy' country

A new poll suggests that more than a quarter of Canadians — 27 per cent — now see the United States as an "enemy" country, while another 30 per cent still say they consider the U.S. an ally. Another 27 per cent of respondents to the Leger survey said they consider the United States to be a "neutral" country.