Branden Leslie Joins Special Federal Project Committee

The Conservative MP is participating in a rare committee review focused on federal major project approval legislation.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a heavy steel girder on a concrete plinth, symbolizing federal infrastructure review. — Portage-Lisgar MP Branden Leslie has joined a special parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing federal legislation for major project approvals in Canada. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe new federal approval timelines will successfully speed up major Canadian infrastructure projects?

Portage-Lisgar MP Branden Leslie has joined a special parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing proposed legislation for federal major project approvals. The committee is conducting intensive hearings with federal ministers and industry stakeholders to refine the bill.

Why it matters

The government initiated this rare committee process to manage a complex legislative review in detail. Conservative members like Leslie argue that current approval systems foster regulatory uncertainty that discourages vital infrastructure investment.

The proposed legislation mandates a one-year approval timeline for major projects, though the clock can be paused for up to 90 days. This special committee process has not been utilized in approximately 14 to 15 years.

The players

Branden Leslie

He is the Member of Parliament for the Manitoba riding of Portage-Lisgar and represents the Conservative Party on the special parliamentary committee.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

This is a national association representing the interests of Canadian businesses that provides expert testimony on regulatory and economic policy.

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters

This organization represents the interests of Canada's manufacturing and exporting sectors during federal legislative hearings.

The details

The committee divides its workload among members by focusing on expertise in environmental assessment, transportation, and labour. Witnesses, including representatives from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, have recently provided testimony on the proposed rules.

Last Tuesday, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and other groups testified before the committee.
The committee will continue its intensive legislative review throughout the coming weeks.
The federal government aims to pass the legislation through Parliament before Christmas.

Political Context

This special committee review marks a significant procedural departure from the standard parliamentary oversight typically used for the Impact Assessment Act. Opposition members contend that the current legislative process is being rushed to meet an arbitrary year-end deadline.

The potential changes to project approval timelines could significantly shift the regulatory landscape for large-scale infrastructure developments across the country. Canadians may see faster, albeit more scrutinized, approval processes for future energy and transportation projects.

The takeaway

The use of a special legislative committee indicates a high-stakes government effort to overhaul complex project regulations. Stakeholders are closely watching these hearings to see if the proposed one-year timeline effectively balances regulatory speed with industry demands.

What happens next

The committee is scheduled to consider amendments to the legislation following the conclusion of witness testimony, with a government goal of passing the bill before Christmas.