About us

Established in August 2025, the Major Projects Office (MPO) is a special operating agency supported by the Privy Council Office.

We are advancing nation-building projects in Canada. The kind of projects and transformative strategies Canada needs to connect our economy, diversify our industries and trade opportunities, and create high-paying careers while protecting the environment and advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples.

Our team brings together people and processes to move major projects forward faster, responsibly, and sustainably. We provide a single point of contact and leadership on major projects that are referred to the Office. This includes partnering with federal departments, provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and private-sector participants.

We are also working towards transforming the regulatory processes to ensure that major projects are reviewed within two years, from start to finish.

The MPO is headquartered in Calgary and has offices in other major Canadian cities such as Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Whitehorse.

The MPO team

To deliver on its important mandate, the MPO brings together experts with extensive public and private sector experience, supported by other federal government departments and agencies. This expertise spans areas such as finance, project management, risk management, regulatory processes, and consultation with Indigenous Peoples. 

The MPO team includes professionals from a variety of sectors and backgrounds including energy and energy infrastructure, electricity, transportation and logistics, critical minerals and mining, and the North, who will provide advice and guidance to proponents and the government.

Leveraging specialized expertise from industry leaders provides the MPO with the necessary skills, resources, and insights to deliver on its mission to build nation-building projects and bolster Canada's economic resilience.

The MPO leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Dawn L. Farrell

The MPO is led by Dawn Farrell, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is responsible for delivering on the Office’s mandate and overall strategic direction. Mrs. Farrell is a Governor-in-Council appointee. 

Mrs. Farrell has over 35 years of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Her governance experience spans public, private, and nonprofit boards, including past roles with Canadian Natural Resources Limited, the Business Council of Canada, the Conference Board of Canada, the Alberta Business Council, Calgary Stampede, and Mount Royal University, where she served as Chancellor from 2020 to 2024.

She was also President and CEO of both Trans Mountain Corporation where she oversaw its multibillion-dollar expansion project, and TransAlta Corporation where she led a major transition from coal to renewables.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master’s in Economics from the University of Calgary and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc

As the Minister of One Canadian Economy, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc oversees the work of the MPO. This includes being the minister designated as responsible for the Building Canada Act and for projects designated in the national interest under the Act, and for providing advice to the Prime Minister on which projects should be referred to the MPO.