Why Does It Take So Long to Build in Canada? Holding the Government Accountable on TMX and Investment
This evening, I took part in a Committee of the Whole in the House of Commons—a less common format where all Members can directly question ministers on government spending. The focus was the Main Estimates, which outline how the government plans to allocate taxpayer dollars for the year ahead. This setting provides an important opportunity to press ministers for clear answers on spending decisions and the results Canadians are getting in return.
I pressed the government on an issue that continues to hold Canada back: our inability to get major projects built on time and on budget. At a time when global demand for energy is increasing and our allies are looking to Canada to step up, we should be leading. Instead, we’re seeing delays, uncertainty, and capital fleeing to other jurisdictions.
“Five years, $28 billion over budget—and timelines are only getting longer. That’s the problem the government refuses to acknowledge.”
Greg McLean, M.P., 26 May 2026
I pointed specifically to the Trans Mountain Expansion project as a clear example of what’s gone wrong. It took five years to complete and went over budget by $28 billion—all to expand an existing pipeline route. Canadians deserve to know how costs could spiral so dramatically on a project that didn’t even require building on a new corridor. This isn’t just about one project; it reflects a broader pattern that is undermining confidence in Canada as a place to invest.
Throughout the exchange, I also raised concerns about declining competitiveness. Investors are increasingly choosing the United States and other countries where projects can be approved and built in a fraction of the time it takes here at home. In Canada, it can take five to seven years just to get approvals in place. That kind of delay sends a clear signal: Canada is becoming harder to build in, and that is costing us jobs, growth, and opportunity.
My message is simple: if we want to be an energy leader and attract the private investment needed to grow our economy, we have to fix the system. That means shorter timelines, clear rules, and a serious commitment to getting projects done. Canadians expect results—not excuses—and I will continue to push for policies that make it easier to build, invest, and succeed right here at home.
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