One Permit to Speed Major Projects

Summary#

• This Quebec bill would let the government fast‑track big, strategic projects for five years after the law takes effect.
• It creates a single, all‑in‑one authorization that replaces many separate provincial and municipal permits for a designated project. The government can add conditions, change them, suspend, or revoke the authorization.
• Environmental review still applies when normally required, but some steps are streamlined. Certain early “preparatory works” can start sooner, under limits.

Key changes and impacts:

• Government can designate “priority, national‑scale” projects (for example, energy, critical minerals, major infrastructure) after a 30‑day public comment period.
• One authorization replaces multiple permits listed in an annex of laws; the government stands in for the usual permitting bodies.
• The Finance Minister coordinates timelines and can allow defined preparatory works before full authorization; these cannot occur in protected areas or certain sensitive habitats.
• Environmental impact assessment continues; a public hearing by the BAPE is automatic and replaces other consultation steps tied to the project.
• For cities: if a municipality delays or adds conditions the government finds unsuitable, the provincial authorization can replace municipal permits. Some local bylaw steps are shortened.
• For farmland: usual CPTAQ processes can be skipped; the authorization must include mitigation and can require returning land to the farm zone if the project does not go ahead.
• For mines: a mining lease can be authorized with a preliminary restoration plan and provisional financial guarantee, with deadlines to finalize both.
• Inspections, investigations, and administrative fines by sector regulators still apply.

What it means for you#

• Communities near projects

  • You may see large projects start sooner, including some early site work before full approval.
  • There will be a public hearing (BAPE) for projects that need an environmental assessment, but some other consultation steps are combined into that one hearing.
  • The government must publish project schedules, reasons for designation, authorization conditions, modification requests, and yearly progress, except for personal data, locations of threatened species, and true trade secrets.

• Municipalities and regional bodies

  • You will receive a detailed project notice and be asked to issue local authorizations on a set timeline.
  • If bylaws need changing only to allow the project, you can adopt them faster (some public‑notice steps are removed; bylaws take effect the day of adoption).
  • If you do not issue permits in time, or attach conditions the government deems unsuitable, the provincial authorization can replace your permits. Any local rule that conflicts with the provincial authorization will not apply.

• Farmers and rural landowners

  • For designated projects, farmland protection processes may be bypassed. The authorization must include mitigation (for example, adding other lots to the farm zone) and require putting land back in the farm zone if the project does not proceed.

• Indigenous communities

  • The bill states it must align with the duty to consult Indigenous communities, and separate consultations can be done when needed. Designation criteria include considering local and Indigenous interests.

• Businesses and project developers

  • You can apply for a single, coordinated authorization that replaces many permits, with one timetable managed by the Finance Minister.
  • Some preparatory works may be allowed early, under conditions and outside protected or highly sensitive areas.
  • For mines, you can receive a lease with a preliminary restoration plan and provisional guarantee, but must meet set deadlines to finalize both.
  • The government can modify, suspend, revoke, or transfer the authorization, and can require site cleanup for preparatory works no longer needed.

• Environmental protections

  • Environmental impact assessment is still required where it normally applies, followed by an automatic BAPE hearing.
  • The government can set which later project activities need an authorization change or can proceed by a declaration of compliance.
  • Certain prohibitions tied to wildlife habitats and threatened species do not apply if the government’s authorization replaces the main environmental authorization for the project.
  • Regulators keep their powers to inspect, investigate, and issue administrative fines.

• Everyone

  • The power to designate projects lasts five years after the law takes effect. A project’s designation expires after five years if no authorization is issued. An authorization lapses if work has not started within two years.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Speeds up major projects that support energy transition, critical minerals, and infrastructure, which can strengthen Quebec’s resilience and prosperity.
• Cuts red tape with a single, coordinated authorization and a clear timetable, while keeping environmental impact assessments and a public hearing.
• Keeps strong enforcement, since inspections, investigations, and administrative fines by regulators still apply.
• Increases transparency with public schedules, reasons for designation, authorization conditions, modification requests, and annual progress updates.
• Gives tools to resolve bottlenecks across ministries and municipalities, while limiting the program to a five‑year window.

Opponents' View#

• Centralizes power in the Cabinet and the Finance Minister, allowing changes to how certain laws and rules apply to a project, which could weaken safeguards.
• Reduces municipal control and shortens local bylaw processes, limiting community influence over land use.
• Allows preparatory works before full authorization and creates exemptions that could put sensitive habitats or threatened species at greater risk.
• Lets mining projects proceed with only preliminary cleanup plans and provisional guarantees, raising concerns about long‑term site restoration.
• Consultation promises to Indigenous communities may be too general, risking conflict if consent and accommodations are not clear.
• The “single authorization” can’t be refused if set conditions are met, which critics say narrows discretion to stop harmful projects.