Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of the first batch of potential nation-building projects to be fast tracked did not inspire much faith with the provincial government – despite one of those projects being based in Saskatchewan.

The McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine Project in east-central Saskatchewan was one of five projects highlighted by the Prime Minister on Thursday. According to the province, the mine – which is located west of Creighton – includes an underground copper, zinc, gold and silver mine accompanied by an above-ground processing facility.

The facility will have a processing capacity of 4,900 tonnes per day over its initial 18-year life. The project represents a total capital investment of over $1 billion and is expected to begin commercial production in mid-2026.

The other four projects highlighted by Carney include the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario, a major expansion to the Port of Montreal, LNG Canada Phase 2 based in Kitimat, B.C. and the Red Chris Mine expansion – also in B.C.

In a response to the federal announcement, Saskatchewan’s Deputy Premier Jim Reiter stated that the provincial government is concerned about the omission of uranium and pipeline projects from Ottawa’s shortlist – pointing to the fact that three uranium-related projects in the province are ready to move forward in the near term.

“We have asked the federal government to correct this immediately. The lack of any approved pipeline projects also highlights the uncertainty caused by the current regulatory system and the reluctance of companies to move forward given that uncertainty,” Reiter explained.

Reiter went on to argue that the federal “Major Projects Office” is only necessary because of “unworkable federal regulations” with the deputy premier singling out the federal Impact Assessment Act.

“Saskatchewan’s position remains the same - our country needs all economic projects to go forward if Canada wants to be the strongest economy in the G7 — not just the projects selected by politicians in Ottawa,” the statement read.

“That can only happen through true regulatory reform at the federal level which Premier Moe will raise with the Prime Minister the next time they speak.”

As for the omission of pipelines as part of the first phase – no private company has come forward so far to develop one.

Carney also identified other projects in the early stages of planning – stating that the federal government wants to see further development before committing to them. They range from Pathways Plus, an Alberta-based carbon capture, utilization and storage project to Port of Churchill Plus, which will upgrade the Port of Churchill in Manitoba.

Speaking to reporters in Calgary on Wednesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she was not concerned if a pipeline did not make the initial list.

“The list is going to be an evergreening list,” Smith said, adding “it’s not, ‘oh my gosh, this is it, nothing else can be added.’”

The Major Projects Office (MPO), which is being led by former CEO and chair of the board of directors of the Trans Mountain Corporation Dawn Farrell, will now move ahead to streamline and fast-track regulatory approval for the projects.

The MPO was established under Bill C-5 — dubbed the Building Canada Act by the Liberals — aimed at giving government sweeping new powers to approve major projects of national interest. Bill C-5 passed Parliament in June.