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The following briefing reviews the Build Big Things paper for major energy, critical minerals, and
infrastructure projects. It is part of a growing consensus for fixing the gridlock on major projects in
Canada.

Key Messages:

1. Canada’s economic standing is slipping. To reverse this trend, we need a clear national vision, private-public collaboration, and a governance model that includes Indigenous partners from day one.
2. 500 projects, if advanced, unlock $1.1 trillion in capital.
3. A GDP boost of 4.5% if these major projects are unblocked.
4. Government action and active cooperation is needed to unblock major projects.

The Challenge

• Stagnating Economic Performance:
  • 40th of 41 on GDP per capita growth (OECD).
  • Fell from 4th to 23rd in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings.
• Structural Constraints:
  • Large geography, low population density.
  • High public and private debt exposure (Mac Van Wielingen: “Canada is at the top of indebted countries”).

Untapped Opportunity

• 500 projects tracked by Natural Resources Canada.
• If advanced, these could unlock $1.1 trillion in capital and boost GDP by 4.5%.

Key Enablers Identified

1. Coordinated Financing: align public and private funding sources.
2. Efficient & Effective Regulation
3. Enabling Critical Infrastructure: systems-level approach to ensure future growth is supported.
4. Increasing Indigenous Economic Participation: strengthen partnerships, support meaningful Indigenous involvement in major projects through access to capital, stronger ownership opportunities, and continuous capacity building.

Proposed Strategic Framework: 10 Essential Plays

1. Accelerate economic growth with a unified national vision.
2. Declare “no-regrets” projects—nation-building infrastructure that meets prosperity, security, reconciliation, and environmental benchmarks.
3. Launch a Strategic Investment Office.
4. Maximize ROI on public funds.
5. Streamline regulation – adopt a “one project, one assessment” principle with 2-year timelines.
6. Advance meaningful Indigenous economic participation through equity, procurement, and ownership.
7. Align critical enabling infrastructure to support and prioritize projects.
8. Advance development of critical minerals to secure global competitiveness.
9. Strengthen partnerships and build trust.
10. Establish mission-driven accountability.

Indigenous Leadership: A Cornerstone, Not a Checkbox

• Indigenous participation is foundational, not supplementary.
• Projects should reflect modern treaty governance, blending hereditary and elected leadership.
• Indigenous Priorities: economic independence, cultural revitalization, environmental stewardship.
• Panel member Karen Ogen explained “Indigenous people want to manage prosperity”.

Strategic Considerations

• How do we build a true Canadian consensus on nation-building projects?
• What mechanisms can this government use now to unify regulatory processes, unlock investment, and strengthen Indigenous partnerships?
• How can we demonstrate clear wins to rebuild economic confidence domestically and internationally?

Recommendations for Government Action

1. Direct interdepartmental coordination toward identifying and fast-tracking a national “no-regrets” project list.
2. Mandate regulatory reform to enforce timelines and single-window approvals.
3. Support a high-level Indigenous-Industry-Government Council for project development oversight.

Conclusion

This paper brings up an approach that seeks to works optimally within the current system of high government involvement and regulation. Alternatives that seek to reform the system are not rejected but are of a longer time arc. Authors Jay Khosla, Yiota Kokkinos, and Chris Turner acknowledged that Canada’s path to renewed economic leadership depends not on new tools, but on working differently—with urgency, alignment, and shared purpose. The ideas are there. Now is the time to act; to drive economic growth, enhance living standards, and restore Canada’s lagging productivity growth