Fast Tracking Natural Resources Projects: What It Means for Recruitment

Introduction

In September 2025, the Canadian government launched the Major Projects Office (MPO), a body designed to fast track developments considered vital to national growth. Its purpose is to shorten approval times to no more than two years, consolidating reviews across federal, provincial, and Indigenous stakeholders.

This model mirrors the United States FAST 41 initiative, which we explored in a recent blog, and responds to persistent criticism that Canada’s permitting process is too slow. The projects identified for acceleration include copper and gold mining, liquefied natural gas (LNG) export expansion, nuclear power generation, and port and transport upgrades. Together they represent more than CAD 60 billion in potential investment (1).

Fast tracking these developments is not only about production. It is about people. Timelines are tighter, labour markets are already strained, and employers are preparing to compete for overlapping pools of technical and project expertise. These dynamics echo themes from our earlier analysis of FIFO workforces, and now they are poised to become even more pressing.

The Projects Being Fast Tracked

1. Red Chris Mine Expansion (British Columbia)
   Operated by Newmont with Imperial Metals, the Red Chris expansion aims to extend mine life by at least a decade and significantly increase copper output. Copper is indispensable for electrification and renewable technologies, and this project reinforces Canada’s role as a global supplier.

   Recruitment implications: Demand will rise for mine engineers, metallurgists, and geotechnical specialists. Tailings and water management expertise will also be essential. Beyond technical roles, the project will require Indigenous engagement officers and environmental consultants, reflecting scrutiny on consultation and sustainability (2).

2. McIlvenna Bay Project (Saskatchewan)
   Foran Mining’s McIlvenna Bay copper and zinc project has been promoted as a flagship critical minerals development. Positioned as a low carbon underground mine, it is expected to feed the supply chains for batteries, wind turbines, and advanced manufacturing.

   Recruitment implications: Hiring will centre on underground engineers, exploration geologists, and project managers, with strong emphasis on sustainability officers and ESG specialists. The project demonstrates how critical minerals require broader skills beyond traditional mining disciplines (3).

3. LNG Canada Phase 2 (British Columbia)
   LNG Canada in Kitimat, which began producing exports in 2025, is set to double capacity in Phase 2. The expansion is expected to attract around CAD 33 billion in private investment and create tens of thousands of jobs during construction.

   Recruitment implications: The project will draw heavily on skilled trades, process engineers, and safety specialists during construction, followed by long term operations staff once production begins. With both LNG and mining competing for talent in northern British Columbia, labour availability will be a decisive factor (4).

4. Darlington Small Modular Reactor (Ontario)
   Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington facility will host the world’s first commercial scale small modular reactor. This project is central to Canada’s clean energy goals and has drawn global attention as a test case for nuclear innovation.

   Recruitment implications: Nuclear engineers, regulatory experts, and health and safety professionals will be in demand. The novelty of this project may attract technical specialists who would otherwise join mining or oil and gas, creating further competition for critical skills (5).

5. Ports and Infrastructure Upgrades (Multiple Regions)
   Export infrastructure is also on the fast track list. Port expansions and transport corridors in British Columbia and Atlantic Canada are being advanced to support the export of LNG and minerals.

   Recruitment implications: Civil engineers, logistics managers, and project leaders will be required, further intensifying demand across infrastructure and resource development (6).

Regional Focus

Northern British Columbia will be under the greatest pressure, with Red Chris and LNG Canada competing for skilled trades, engineers, and support staff. Recruitment will rely heavily on fly in fly out arrangements, echoing challenges explored in our previous FIFO blog. Housing, transport, and community infrastructure will be tested as projects scale up simultaneously.

Saskatchewan’s McIlvenna Bay will be a test for critical mineral projects in the Prairies, creating demand for underground talent in a province where labour availability is already tight.

Ontario’s Darlington SMR project will draw national and international attention. Its recruitment needs extend into specialised nuclear engineering and compliance, skills that overlap with the resource sector and risk diverting technical professionals from mining and energy.

Recruitment Implications

• Compressed timelines: With approvals accelerated, hiring cycles shorten. Employers cannot afford recruitment delays or misaligned hires.

• Cross-industry competition: Mining, LNG, nuclear, and infrastructure projects are pulling from the same labour pools of engineers, geoscientists, and skilled trades.

• Rising wage pressure: When multiple mega projects demand similar skills, salaries rise, contractor premiums escalate, and project budgets come under strain.

• Indigenous and ESG expertise: Heightened scrutiny means Indigenous relations officers, community engagement specialists, and ESG professionals will be in greater demand than ever.

• Regional bottlenecks: Northern British Columbia and Saskatchewan are emerging hotspots. Logistics and workforce management will be as important as technical hiring.

• Contractors and consultants as a release valve: Companies unable to fill permanent positions quickly will increasingly lean on contractors and consultants for interim leadership, technical advisory roles, and project ramp up support (7).

Conclusion

The launch of the Major Projects Office is a turning point for Canadian resource development. It signals a clear intent to accelerate mining, LNG, nuclear, and infrastructure projects that are strategically important to both economic growth and the energy transition.

For recruitment, the consequences are immediate. Timelines are compressed, competition for overlapping skill sets is intensifying, and ESG and Indigenous engagement roles are gaining unprecedented prominence. Employers that plan ahead will be best positioned to secure talent, control costs, and deliver projects on schedule.

At Intelligenciia, we specialise in helping resource companies meet these challenges. Whether through retained search, contractors, or flexible consultancy support, we provide access to the leaders and specialists who will define the success of Canada’s fast-tracked projects.

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References

1. “Prime Minister announces first projects to be reviewed by new Major Projects Office,” Government of Canada. “Canada unveils first projects under new MPO,” Mining Weekly.

2. “Red Chris mine expansion among fast tracked projects,” Government of Canada.

3. “McIlvenna Bay copper zinc project placed on fast track list,” Reuters.

4. “LNG Canada expansion added to major projects list,” Oilprice. “LNG Canada Phase 2 to be fast tracked,” AM1150.

5. “Darlington SMR part of Canada’s nation building projects,” Northern Ontario Business.

6. “Canada names gas plant, port, mines as major projects to be sped up,” Reuters.

7. “Accelerating mining and energy development in Canada,” Torys LLP.