Regulatory and permitting efficiency for clean growth projects
Overview
The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory and Permitting Efficiency for Clean Growth Projects focuses on the federal efforts needed to accelerate regulatory efficiency for clean growth projects. It is intended to help get clean growth projects built faster by accelerating decision-making related to these projects.
Section 1. Overview of CanNor's role in supporting regulatory and permitting efficiency
CanNor, through its Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO), provides single-window coordination of federal participation in impact assessments of major projects in the territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut), and acts as Crown Consultation Coordinator. The territories each have their own unique impact assessment and regulatory review processes, rooted in modern treaties and led by co-management boards. The federal Impact Assessment Act generally does not apply in the North. CanNor maintains its coordination role for clean growth projects in the North and further focuses on federal regulatory and permitting processes, after impact assessments are complete.
Section 2. Results for thematic areas of the Cabinet Directive
Theme 1: Strengthening service standards
Results achieved:
CanNor is not a federal regulator and is not responsible for issuing permits, licences or authorizations for clean growth projects. This section is not applicable.
Theme 2: Providing timely guidance to proponents
Results achieved:
The 2024-25 fiscal year marked the first time that CanNor's NPMO collaborated with federal regulators on their permitting for a northern project. In 2024-25, CanNor worked with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, and the Canadian Transportation Agency to collaborate on requirements for the proponent's federal permitting for the Steensby Rail and Port component of the Mary River Iron Ore Mine in Nunavut. CanNor also continued to offer support to other proponents of clean growth projects in an effort to support their readiness for impact assessment or regulatory review processes in the North.
Theme 3: Coordinating consultation with Indigenous Peoples
Results achieved:
In 2024-25, CanNor's NPMO coordinated Crown consultations with four federal regulators (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, and the Canadian Transportation Agency) specific to their permitting for the Steensby Rail and Port component of the Mary River Iron Ore Mine in Nunavut. On behalf of the federal regulators, CanNor initiated consultation with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Kivalliq Inuit Association and Makivvik Corporation, and sought their views on how consultation should occur. Through 2024-25, following the guidance provided, NPMO coordinated seven consultation meetings with Designated Inuit Organizations, and facilitated eight direct consultation sessions in several Baffin Island communities with community-based organizations representing Inuit rights-holders and interests (e.g., hunters and trappers organizations/associations, Hamlet leadership). With support from federal regulators, NPMO also led the drafting of responsive materials following consultation meetings and sessions (e.g., letters, What We Heard report).