Saskatchewan·NewMark Carney has unveiled his top five major projects that he says will reshape Canada. A mine in northern Saskatchewan is one of them.Foran Mining’s McIlvenna Bay project slated to begin production next yearAliyah Marko-Omene · CBC News · Posted: Sep 12, 2025 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 31 minutes agoForan Mining’s McIlvenna Bay project in northeast Saskatchewan is slated to begin production in mid-2026. (Foran Mining)Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled the list of five projects that he’s recommending for approval by the federal government’s newly created major project office (MPO), and a copper mine in northern Saskatchewan is one of them.Foran Mining’s McIlvenna Bay project, which is slated to start commercial production next year, is about 380 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, near the small community of Creighton. Carney said on Thursday the first group of projects already meet many of the required regulatory standards, but just need a little nudge to get them approved. “The government is referring them to the MPO to be shepherded across the finish line,” Carney said. “The office will help these proponents achieve any remaining regulatory and permitting approvals and secure the necessary financing.”Jonathan French, vice president of capital markets and external affairs for Foran Mining, said they’re “very excited” to get the project online.He said the company has been making Indigenous engagement a priority, noting nearby Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has signed on to collaborate on economic development.”We wanted to not only let it grow, but thrive in this industry,” he said. “Our big focus there was building these relationships.” The project has 800 people already on site during construction and will offer 450 long-term stable jobs once it’s in commercial production, French said. WATCH | Sask. copper mine one of 5 major projects backed by Carney: Sask. copper mine one of 5 major projects backed by CarneyPrime Minister Mark Carney unveiled five “nation-building” projects on Thursday that he’s recommending for approval by the newly created Major Projects Office, including the McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine Project in Saskatchewan. “It’s really important because this is in a remote part of northeastern Saskatchewan and also an area that has been impacted by regional forest fires as well,” said French.The mine site had to be evacuated earlier this year, along with nearby communities, when it was threatened by wildfire.On Thursday, the province also announced it will be providing a new critical mining processing investment incentive to support the project. The incentive follows private investment and provides transferable royalty and freehold production tax credits on eligible project costs, the province said in a news release. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, centre, visited the Foran Mining’s McIlvenna Bay site last year. The province announced Thursday it is providing a new critical mining processing investment incentive to support the project. (Foran Mining)Pam Schwan, president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association, said it’s good to see Carney interested in moving projects ahead. “He recognizes that lost time is lost investment,” Schwan said. “This is providing new opportunities … for employment, but also importantly through some of the Peter Ballantyne group of companies, a lot of business opportunities, which is again brand new and really exciting for that whole area,” she said.Schwan said support on a provincial and federal level gets the attention of other players in the industry and investment community. Pam Schwan, president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association, says it’s good to see interest at the federal level in moving mining projects forward. (Aliyah Marko-Omene/CBC )The other four projects Carney recommended on Thursday are the following: Phase 2 of LNG Canada in Kitimat, B.C., doubling its production of liquefied natural gas. The Darlington New Nuclear Project in Clarington, Ont., which will make small modular reactors. Contrecoeur Terminal Container Project to expand the Port of Montreal. The expansion of the Red Chris Mine in northwestern B.C. NDP questions prioritiesThe Saskatchewan NDP said in a news release it is “deeply disappointed” in both the federal and provincial government’s announcements Thursday, noting the federal government’s major project list doesn’t include projects related to new pipelines, power structures or rail capacity. “A true nation-building strategy must include building the infrastructure that supports all of our export sectors,” Kim Breckner, the NDP’s trade and export development critic, said in an interview.Calling on Premier Scott Moe to disclose the list of projects the province submitted to Ottawa, Breckner said the lack of transparency is a disservice to Saskatchewan people who expect their government “to be a strong, vocal advocate on the national stage.”She questioned how exports can be brought to market without proper infrastructure like rail capacity.”When it comes to priorities, it’s really about how do we unlock Saskatchewan’s potential,” said Breckner. “That’s why I’m calling on the provincial government to show their work, to show what they advocated for.” ABOUT THE AUTHORAliyah Marko-Omene is a reporter for CBC Saskatchewan. She has previously worked for CBC and Toronto Star in Toronto. You can reach her at aliyah.marko@cbc.ca.
Sask. copper mine one of 5 projects Carney recommending for approval
