Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne kept mum Wednesday as Ottawa prepared to unveil the next wave of infrastructure developments that it wants the new Canada Major Projects Office to fast-track.

Champagne touted the benefits of the proposed federal budget as he participated in a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade breakfast at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. But he would not shed light on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s preferred projects. “

“I’m not going to presuppose the announcement of the major project, as you would expect,” said Champagne in a scrum with reporters.

Carney is slated to unveil the next tranche of his recommendations to the MPO on Thursday in Prince Rupert, B.C.

In response to a question from a reporter, he indicated that the investments will benefit Indigenous groups. He sidestepped the question of how the government will address the concerns of First Nations who are opposing the expansion of the LNG Canada project near Kitimat, B.C.

“First Nations are part of the fabric of Canada,” said Champagne. “I’m happy in the budget, we were able to protect the progress that we made in terms of reconciliation. We also made sure that we would continue to invest in programs that would help First Nations and Indigenous peoples across the country. I can talk about the the Indigenous Loan Guarantee, which is really a game-changer.”

Under the program, the government provides up to $5 billion in loan guarantees for Indigenous groups, which are designed to unlock capital needed for major investments.

Champagne said the budget will provide more predictability on green investments and help businesses meet a “clear threshold” based on a new standard. Contending that the previous standard was not well-defined, he said the none will provide the predictability and certainty that investors want.

During a Q&A session with Bridgitte Anderson, the GBVBOT’s president and CEO, Champagne said the “generational” budget will benefit all Canadians as it focuses on major projects and programs such as Build Canada Homes.

Contending that U.S. tariffs are unlike any economic measures seen in decades, he said the Carney government’s first budget can match the speed, scale and scope of the uncertainty that the American levies are causing.

“There’ll be many more, so we need to look at that,” said Champagne. “But I think when I compare and the challenge we had, I think we found this right balance between the challenge of affordability, which is a challenge that is impacting families, workers, farmers, fishers, like today, whilst at the same time building the foundation for a Canada that’s going to be strong in light of whatever may comes to us or at us.

“We will be stronger down the road than we are today.”

Champagne said the Carney government must help businesses open Canada to new markets and manufacture more products, particularly with wood, domestically.

“We get it,” said Champagne. “We know we need to do more.”

GVBOT’s Anderson said the proposed budget, which requires the support of some opposition MPs before it can pass, “does provide Canada with a much needed change in direction.”

Pictured: Tanker at LNG Canada dock in Kitimat, B.C. with first cargo bound for Asia.

Photo: LNG Canada