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On December 9, 2025, the Government of Québec introduced Bill 5, entitled “An Act to accelerate the granting of authorizations required for the completion of priority projects and of national scope.” Announced in the Fall 2025 Economic and Financial Update, this initiative is part of the Government's desire to facilitate the rapid implementation of major strategic projects.
Objectives and scope
This Bill aims to provide the government with a mechanism to designate certain projects as “priorities and of national importance” for a period of five years. These projects, whose successful implementation must be plausible, must be of clear collective interest. For the purposes of this designation, the government may consider contributing to Québec's autonomy and resilience (particularly in the energy, critical and strategic minerals or infrastructure sectors), generating significant economic benefits, taking into account the interests of local and Indigenous communities, and achieving government targets related to the energy transition objectives.
Single authorization and administrative simplification
The suggested process is based on the granting of a single authorization, issued by the government, replacing all the permissions normally required under the Acts and regulations listed in Schedule I of the Bill. This authorization may be subject to conditions, requirements or restrictions, and the Government will retain the right to modify, suspend, revoke or authorize its transfer. Some preparatory work may be authorized before the final authorization is granted. An authorization will lapse two years after it is granted if the designated project has not begun.
Maintaining standards and meeting obligations
The draft law expressly provides that the acceleration of procedures cannot exempt developers from the obligations provided for by the applicable laws or restrict the powers of inspection, investigation or sanction of the competent authorities. The environmental assessment procedures under the Environment Quality Act (chapter Q-2) will remain mandatory for projects subject to them, as will the public hearing process, which, to the extent that the issues relating to the designated project are brought to the attention of the public at that hearing, will replace the public consultation mechanisms provided for in the other Acts listed in Schedule I or in the regulations made for the purpose of their application.
Sectoral relief measures
Specific provisions are included in the Bill to simplify procedures in several key sectors such as agricultural areas, forests, mines and public lands, by providing for the exemption from certain legislative requirements.
Transparency and monitoring
The Minister will be required to make public various information relating to the progress of projects, the authorizations issued and the conditions attached to them, subject to the protection of commercial and industrial secrets and the location of threatened or vulnerable species.
Coming into force and transitional provisions
The law will apply for a period of five years from its assent, with transitional measures for projects already under evaluation. It is provided that insofar as the process of evaluating a project is already underway, once the project has been designated as a priority project of national scope, pending applications for permits giving the promoter the right to carry out his project or the activities necessary for its implementation provided for in the laws referred to in Annex I are to be continued and decided in accordance with the provisions of the new law. The Minister of Finance will be responsible for its implementation.
Conclusion
This Bill marks a significant evolution in the management of major projects in Québec, seeking to reconcile speed of execution, predictability for developers and maintenance of high standards in terms of the environment, safety and respect for the rights of Indigenous communities.
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