Bureaucracy is slowing Canada's economic boost, Dominic LeBlanc says

Dominic LeBlanc said U.S. tariff uncertainty and slow internal and federal processes are holding back investment and major projects, and that the federal major projects office has received many applications.

Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's lead minister on U.S. trade, told the Canadian Club Toronto that bureaucratic delays are limiting Canada's ability to boost investment. He said uncertainty from U.S. tariff actions is acting as a brake on business investment. He added that provinces have slowed in removing internal trade barriers and that federal major projects are not advancing as quickly as intended. The federal major projects office has been flooded with applications as officials review possible fast-track designations. Key points: - LeBlanc described U.S. tariff uncertainty and sectoral tariffs as reducing business investment. - He said provincial progress on removing internal trade barriers slowed after initial measures. - LeBlanc reported the federal major projects office received many applications and that the government is close to designating some projects as "nation-building" for faster review. - He plans to travel to Washington at the end of next week to meet the U.S. Trade Representative as part of the trade-review discussions. Summary: LeBlanc framed slow intergovernmental and federal processes, together with U.S. tariff uncertainty, as limiting Canada's potential GDP gains by slowing investment and project approvals. The government says it is close to fast-tracking some projects through designation, and LeBlanc will meet U.S. officials next week as part of the ongoing trade review.