THE NATIONAL APPROVALS CODE (SNAC) ACT

A Bill to Establish a Single National Approvals System, Impose Statutory Timelines, Limit Litigation, and Mandate Construction Commencement for Approved Projects

PREAMBLE

Whereas Canada’s prosperity, sovereignty, and infrastructure capacity have been impeded by fragmented, duplicative, and unpredictable approval processes;

Whereas the national interest requires a unified, efficient, and transparent approvals system for major infrastructure, energy, industrial, and corridor projects;

Whereas Indigenous nations are essential partners in the governance, stewardship, and oversight of national infrastructure;

Whereas delays in approvals and litigation have imposed significant economic, social, and strategic costs on the Canadian state;

Whereas Canada must ensure that approved or near‑approved projects proceed to construction without delay;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

PART I — SHORT TITLE

1. Short Title
   This Act may be cited as the National Approvals Code (SNAC) Act.

PART II — INTERPRETATION

1. Definitions
   In this Act:
   (a) “Major Project” means any infrastructure, energy, industrial, corridor, or Arctic project designated under this Act.
   (b) “SNAC” means the unified national approvals system established under Part III.
   (c) “Approved Project” means a project that has received full authorization under SNAC.
   (d) “Near‑Approved Project” means a project that has received all major approvals and is pending only minor administrative conditions.
   (e) “Corridor Authority” means an authority established under the Canada 2100 Operating Charter Act.
   (f) “Indigenous Co‑Governance Body” means a body constituted under the Canada 2100 Operating Charter Act.
   (g) “Build‑Immediately Clause” means the mandatory construction requirement under Part VII.

PART III — ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL APPROVALS CODE

1. Creation of SNAC
   (1) A single, unified national approvals system, known as the National Approvals Code (SNAC), is hereby established.
   (2) SNAC replaces all federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal approval processes for Major Projects.
2. Exclusive Authority
   (1) SNAC shall have exclusive authority to review, approve, or reject Major Projects.
   (2) No other federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal approval process shall apply.

PART IV — APPROVAL PROCESS

2. Single Application
   (1) All Major Projects shall be subject to a single application submitted to SNAC.
   (2) The application shall be deemed complete once all required documents are submitted.
3. Statutory Timelines
   (1) SNAC shall issue a final decision within 24 months of receiving a complete application.
   (2) Failure to issue a decision within 24 months shall result in automatic approval.
4. Indigenous Co‑Governance
   (1) Indigenous nations shall participate in all stages of the SNAC process.
   (2) Indigenous Co‑Governance Bodies shall have co‑decision authority on:
   (a) routing;
   (b) environmental stewardship;
   (c) monitoring;
   (d) long‑term governance.
5. Transparency Requirements
   SNAC shall publish:
   (a) all applications;
   (b) all decisions;
   (c) all timelines;
   (d) all reasons for approval or rejection.

PART V — LITIGATION LIMITS

2. Single Appeal Path
   (1) All appeals of SNAC decisions shall be heard exclusively by the Federal Court of Appeal.
   (2) No other court or tribunal shall have jurisdiction.
3. Judicial Review
   (1) Only one application for judicial review may be filed per project.
   (2) Judicial review must be filed within 90 days of the SNAC decision.
4. Injunction Restrictions
   (1) No injunction may be granted unless the applicant demonstrates material and irreparable harm.
   (2) Economic, political, or ideological objections shall not constitute material harm.
5. No Serial Litigation
   No party may file multiple or successive legal challenges to delay or obstruct a Major Project.

PART VI — COORDINATION WITH CORRIDOR AUTHORITIES

2. Mandatory Coordination
   SNAC shall coordinate with Corridor Authorities on:
   (a) routing;
   (b) land acquisition;
   (c) Indigenous co‑governance;
   (d) construction timelines.
3. Corridor Authority Powers
   Corridor Authorities may:
   (a) enforce SNAC timelines;
   (b) assume control of stalled projects;
   (c) issue binding directives to ensure compliance.

PART VII — BUILD‑IMMEDIATELY CLAUSE

2. Mandatory Construction Start
   (1) Any Approved or Near‑Approved Major Project must commence construction within 12 months of approval.
   (2) No federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal body may delay commencement beyond 12 months.
3. Enforcement
   (1) Corridor Authorities may assume direct control of any project failing to commence construction.
   (2) Federal funding may be withheld from any jurisdiction obstructing commencement.
   (3) The Minister may issue binding directives to ensure compliance.

PART VIII — NATIONAL SECURITY PROVISIONS

2. Security Designation
   Major Projects approved under SNAC are designated critical national infrastructure.
3. Protection Measures
   The Government shall:
   (a) protect Major Projects from sabotage or interference;
   (b) coordinate with defence and intelligence agencies;
   (c) maintain redundancy and resilience.

PART IX — GENERAL

2. Supremacy Clause
   This Act prevails over any inconsistent federal or provincial law.
3. Regulations
   The Governor in Council may make regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
4. Coming Into Force
   This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.