Designate Trans-Canada Highway 11
Petitioners ask Canada to designate Trans-Canada Highway 11 under the Building Canada Act to fund safety and interprovincial freight upgrades. The government responds that the Major Projects Office assesses projects and may recommend designation.
Why we would sign this petition
- Designation would elevate Highway 11 to federal Project of National Interest, enabling coordinated federal involvement to prioritize and enable safety upgrades.
- Upgrades could improve reliability for interprovincial freight, reducing disruptions and supporting commerce that depends on the corridor.
- Federal designation may speed reviews and align federal, provincial and Indigenous engagement, helping move major works forward more efficiently.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Designation is discretionary; the Major Projects Office may not recommend it, so petitioners might not achieve the intended outcome.
- Federal designation could redirect limited federal attention or funds away from other transportation needs or higher-priority projects.
- Designation may trigger complex environmental assessments and Indigenous consultations that delay work or impose conditions; provincial solutions might be faster or more targeted.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada: We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to designate Trans-Canada Highway 11 as a Project of National Interest under the Building Canada Act. As a critical national corridor for economic stability and national security, Highway 11 requires upgrades to protect the safety of all travellers and ensure the reliable interprovincial movement of goods.
Government response
Response by the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy Signed by Tim Louis The Building Canada Act enables the government to streamline federal approval processes to get major projects built faster. These projects will better connect our economy, diversify our industries, access new markets, and create high-paying careers, while protecting Canada’s rigorous environmental standards and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Major Projects Office advances major projects in Canada and acts as a single window for project proponents into the federal regulatory process to simplify and accelerate project approvals. Working with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, and industry, the Major Projects Office identifies and evaluates projects that would offer the greatest benefits for Canadians. It provides advice on whether a project is of national significance, based on the five factors outlined in the Building Canada Act – including its contribution to Canada’s resilience, autonomy and security, economic benefits, contribution to Indigenous interests, and clean growth and Canada’s climate objectives, along with the likelihood of successful project execution. While the specific details of proposals received by the Major Projects Office cannot be disclosed, it is important to note that not all projects referred to the Major Projects Office will be designated under the Building Canada Act – it is one of the tools the Major Projects Office may recommend for a project, as appropriate, to streamline project reviews. The Government of Canada wishes to thank petitioners for their interest in the work of the Major Projects Office, and their advocacy related to transportation routes across Northern Ontario.