Infrastructure Projects Act
Overview
Dates: July 10, 2025 to March 31, 2026
Who: Ministry of Infrastructure
What: Policy frameworks for provincial capital and significant infrastructure projects
Where: Province-wide
Why: To remove delays in the infrastructure permitting processes
How: Online surveys, written submissions, advisory groups, one-on-one meetings
Building infrastructure faster
The Infrastructure Projects Act (the Act) is a new law to support faster delivery of major infrastructure projects in B.C. You can read more about the Act in our news release.
This law gives the Province new tools to:
- Deliver important services faster by reducing delays in how projects are approved
- Make the approval process quicker. This means important public projects, like schools or hospitals, can start sooner
- Help the economy grow during uncertain times by speeding up investment projects
These changes will not lower the quality of projects or change safety rules. They will still follow all rules for protecting the environment and working with First Nations.
Projects that could qualify include:
- Hospitals and cancer centres
- Long-term care homes
- Schools and post-secondary facilities
- Student housing
- Other provincially significant infrastructure
Read the July 10 Information Bulletin.
Engagement phases
Phase 1: Provincially Significant Projects (now closed)
Open from July 7 – September 30, 2025
During this engagement phase, the public could share ideas about how Provincially Significant projects are chosen. Additionally, respondents could give feedback on the tools in the Act, which apply to both Provincial Capital and Provincially Significant projects. Between July and September 2025, the province also held group discussions.
Phase 2: Qualified Professionals Reliance Model (now closed)
July 21 – November 28, 2025
In B.C., many laws and policies refer to professionals who are qualified to perform certain types of work. These professionals can provide expert advice, conduct assessments, and confirm if certain rules or technical requirements are met. They are typically registered with regulatory bodies under the Professional Governance Act (such as engineers, biologists, geoscientists). They can also be accredited practitioners whose qualifications are recognized by the Province or professional bodies (such as archeologists).
An infrastructure project designated under the Infrastructure Projects Act can access up to six tools to help streamline decisions. One of these tools is the proposed Qualified Professional (QP) Reliance Model. It is designed to allow qualified individuals with specific professional experience to certify that the standards required to issue a permit have been met. For permits that are determined to be appropriate for this model, this new approach will speed up provincial permitting decisions.
Learn more about who qualified professionals are, the Qualified Professional Reliance Model, and what’s being proposed for feedback on the engage site.
Phase 3: Expedited Environmental Assessment Process
Fall 2025 – March 31, 2026
This work toward a faster process is led by the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) with support from the Ministry of Infrastructure. Background information will be released on this topic to support the launch of engagement in Fall of 2025.
Get involved
We want to hear your thoughts on how to make the new law work best. Starting in summer 2025, the ministry will begin talking with First Nations, local governments, and other key partners.
As part of this engagement, the ministry is seeking feedback on:
- Ways to make environmental assessment reviews faster for important projects
- What kinds of projects should count as “provincially significant”
- How a Qualified Professionals Reliance Model could help speed up approvals
Visit the engage site for more information and ways to participate.
How your contribution makes a difference
Your contributions will help inform the development of policy frameworks that shape the future of our province, through facilitating expedited delivery of urgently needed projects and high-quality, generational investments for British Columbians.
Related engagements
