Good afternoon. My name is Dawn Farrell. I'm the chief executive officer of the Major Projects Office. Thank you for having me here to discuss the Contrecoeur terminal container project.
As you know, the office was established around two months ago. On September 11, the Contrecoeur terminal container project was referred to the Major Projects Office as part of the first set of projects referred by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister announced a second set of projects last week. We are maintaining the pace and working diligently to find the best path forward for these nation-building projects.
Projects being referred to the office are the kinds of major projects that will build Canada. They are the kinds of projects Canada needs to connect our economy, diversify our industries and trade opportunities, and create high-paying careers, while protecting the environment and upholding the rights of indigenous peoples. Our office has been working closely with the Government of Canada, provinces and territories, industry proponents and indigenous peoples to evaluate projects that would offer the greatest benefits for Canadians and that we can move quickly on to meet the moment.
Major projects have been brought forward in a number of ways, including by proponents, indigenous groups, premiers—through first ministers' meetings—and many other ways through federal departments and ministers.
Once a project is referred to our office, we work with proponents, provinces and territories, and indigenous peoples to find the right path forward for each project. Depending on the type of project and its stage of development, as well as its status, requirements and milestones, this could include many options, including options that focus on streamlining permitting processes and structuring financing.
Many of the projects referred to the office will not be designated under the Building Canada Act. Designation is just one tool the office may recommend, but regulatory streamlining and financing can be accomplished in many ways. We seek the best course of action to advance a given project quickly so the proponents are provided the certainty they need to make their important investment decisions.
With regard to Contrecoeur, at the time it was referred to the office, this project was well advanced in the federal regulatory system, as you've heard today, including having completed federal environmental assessment. Since then, the work of the office has primarily been focused on structuring financing for the project to ensure that investment decisions can be made.
We understand that a federal land assessment under the Impact Assessment Act was conducted for Contrecoeur compensatory measures for the copper redhorse and that this committee may have questions around this process. The office did not play a role in this assessment. As the entities responsible for conducting this federal lands assessment, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada would be best placed to answer questions this committee may have.
It's my pleasure to answer any questions you may have related to the Major Projects Office here today.
Thank you.