Quebec Fast-Tracks Big Projects with Single Permit

Summary#

• This bill lets the Québec government fast‑track permits for large, strategic projects for five years after the law takes effect.
• The government could issue one single authorization (a consolidated permit) that replaces many separate approvals under multiple provincial laws and rules.
• It keeps an environmental review with a public hearing, and says inspections and fines still apply.
• It also sets special rules for municipal approvals, farmland, mines, forests, and public lands.

Key changes:

• Government can label a project “priority and of national scope” if it is large, strategic, in the public interest, and can realistically be done quickly.
• A single authorization can replace many permits (environment, land use, energy, transport, etc.). The government can add conditions, change, suspend, revoke, or allow transfer of that authorization.
• The Finance Minister can allow preparatory work (like surveys or site clearing) before the main authorization, after consultations.
• A public notice of planned designation is published, with at least 30 days for comments from anyone.
• Environmental assessment must finish before the authorization. A public hearing is required and replaces other overlapping consultations for the project.
• Municipal rules can be adjusted fast; if a city delays or adds conditions the government finds unsuitable, the provincial authorization can stand in for city permits.
• On farmland, the usual agricultural land commission process can be bypassed, with required mitigation and possible re‑inclusion if the project does not proceed.
• On state lands, the government can reserve land to prevent new rights that could block a designated project.
• Designations stop after five years. Authorizations lapse if work does not start within two years.

What it means for you#

• Residents near project sites

  • Work at a site may start sooner through preparatory work, even before the main authorization.
  • A public environmental hearing will be held. You can also send comments during the 30‑day designation notice.
  • Some protected places (like wildlife refuges, protected areas, and habitats of threatened species) are off‑limits for preparatory work.
  • Key project information, timelines, and updates must be posted publicly.

• Municipalities

  • You will receive a formal project notice and be asked to issue required local approvals on a set schedule.
  • You can pass a targeted bylaw to allow the project without the usual notice steps; it takes effect at adoption.
  • If approvals are delayed or conditions are added that the government deems unsuitable, the provincial authorization can replace local permits. Conflicting local rules would not apply.

• Farmers and farmland owners

  • A project can be allowed to use or exclude land from the agricultural zone without the normal commission process, with mitigation measures set by the government.
  • If the project does not happen, the excluded land must be put back into the agricultural zone under set conditions.
  • The Agriculture Minister can make agreements to protect or transfer farmland to eligible land trusts.

• Indigenous communities

  • The law must be read in line with the duty to consult. Separate consultations can be done when needed.

• Environmental groups and the public

  • An environmental assessment still occurs where required, and a public hearing is mandatory.
  • Inspections, investigations, and administrative fines under environmental and other laws still apply.
  • Soil cleanup on contaminated sites can be phased, and some cleanup work can proceed by filing a compliance notice if done within one year.

• Developers and project sponsors

  • One “single window” authorization can replace many permits, with a clear schedule set by the Finance Minister.
  • You must meet all normal requirements (information, guarantees, fees, and commitments) that would apply to the replaced permits.
  • You can ask to modify, suspend, transfer, or revoke the authorization. It expires if work has not started within two years.
  • To be designated, you must hold the required public contracting authorization under Québec procurement law.

• Mining, forestry, and use of state lands

  • A mining lease can be authorized with a preliminary rehab plan and a provisional financial guarantee, with deadlines to finalize both.
  • Forest‑related preparatory work must provide equal or better protection of the forest, unless the project changes the land’s use.
  • The government can reserve state lands to keep new rights from blocking a project and can allow early work while respecting existing rights.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Speeds up approvals for major projects in energy, critical minerals, transit, and infrastructure, which can help jobs and investment.
• Cuts red tape by replacing many permits with one authorization and a clear timeline.
• Supports Québec’s energy transition targets and supply chain resilience.
• Keeps an environmental assessment and a public hearing, while allowing only limited early site work in sensitive places.
• Maintains inspections, investigations, and fines under existing laws.
• Improves transparency by publishing project schedules, conditions, and annual progress.

Opponents' View#

• Concentrates power in the Cabinet and the Finance Minister, reducing checks from specialized boards and local authorities.
• Lets the government change how other laws and regulations apply to a project, which could weaken some safeguards in practice.
• Bypasses normal municipal and agricultural land processes, limiting local and farmer input, with city bylaws fast‑tracked and sometimes overridden.
• Allows preparatory work before full authorization and says that work alone does not trigger an environmental assessment, raising risk of early on‑site impacts.
• Replaces multiple consultation steps with one public hearing, which some may see as reducing opportunities to be heard.
• Eases timing for mining site rehabilitation approvals and guarantees, which could increase environmental and financial risk if a project fails.