A group of ministers announced Thursday that federal departments will coordinate between themselves to “ensure predictable timelines are met.” The government also pledged to improve engagement with Indigenous groups and work with provincial and territorial counterparts to avoid doubling up on permitting. The Liberals will also introduce legislation to amend the Impact Assessment Act this spring. (The Logic)

Talking point: The energy, mining and transportation industries have lobbied Ottawa to reform the permitting and approvals process, criticizing timeline uncertainty and duplications within and between governments. The Liberal government has been promising action since at least October 2022, when Finance Minister Chrystia Feeland said in a Washington, D.C., speech that Canada should and would be “fast-tracking” projects that can supply allies. Her March 2023 budget committed to a “concrete plan” by “the end of 2023” to make permitting and impact assessments more efficient. A month late, Ottawa has now offered an outline.