Quebec tables bill to help speed up major projects, mirroring Ottawa, other provinces

QUÉBEC — Quebec tabled its own bill Tuesday to expedite large-scale projects in the province, one that would allow the province to amend some 30 laws to allow the realization of projects deemed of national interest.

Finance Minister Eric Girard told a news conference after tabling Bill 5 at the national assembly that the proposed law would be used for as many as five projects in Quebec over the next five years.

Girard did not want to comment on which projects would fall under the law, but they would likely include projects proposed by Hydro-Québec, the provincially owned utility.

Girard said the accelerated process will be an exception for major, strategic projects — likely those valued in the billions — and not a general rule. If adopted, the law will have a five-year lifespan, but the minister added he is open to amendments.

“By increasing predictability and speeding up the authorization process, we reduce uncertainty for developers and therefore increase the expected return and the likelihood of completion,” Girard said.

Girard acknowledged the bill does give the government exceptional powers, but adds the length and complexity of the existing authorization processes make completing major projects difficult.

The legislation indicates that the government can “amend the application of any provision” of a series of laws to complete a project, including acts that cover forest development, environment, preserving agricultural lands, mining, and parks among others.

Girard noted that preparatory work could be greenlighted before a project gets a final approval. That preparatory work must reversible in the event the project is not granted.

Girard said the idea was not to contravene the province’s existing environmental laws and other regulations.

“We will respect our own laws for large strategic projects, we want to speed up the authorization process,” Girard said.

It will be up to cabinet to designate which projects would qualify. Girard noted that it would be “published and transparent” and the government would have to defend its decision.

On Monday, Environment Minister Bernard Drainville announced plans to reduce the processing times for environmental permits for business projects.

Drainville said that environmental assessments will be completed 50 per cent faster to speed up major projects such as mines and energy sector development.

Premier François Legault said the legislation will target quicker permits for priority projects of national importance. This could include nearly $200 billion worth of projects proposed by Hydro-Québec.

“There is an urgent need to create quality jobs in Quebec,” the premier said during a stop in Rouyn-Noranda, in the northwestern part of the province.

Legault also said the legislation is tied to the economic uncertainty created by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Quebec bill mirrors one passed by the federal Parliament, Bill C-5, which aims to accelerate projects of national interest to all Canadians.

Some opposition parties in Quebec have already spoken out against the bill, but Girard defended it.

“This is a small number of large projects, in reaction to what’s going on with the changes in the world economy,” Girard said of the Quebec law.

“If it’s good for Canada, good for B.C., good for Ontario, I don’t see why Quebec shouldn’t accelerate the realization of its strategic national projects.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2025.