Premier John Hogan remains optimistic despite the fact that NL resource projects have not been named among the first projects listed for fast-tracking under the Building Canada Act.

Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday announced five projects – some of which are well on the way to development – which the federal government will help to “usher across the finish line.”

They include LNG Canada’s second phase of development in B.C., the Darlington New Nuclear facility in Ontario, the Contre Coeur export terminal in the Port of Montreal, and mining projects in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

The next five projects will be detailed by late November, but Bay du Nord, Gull Island and Strange Lake are not among them.

Premier John Hogan says he’s not surprised, nor is he concerned. He says conversations with the Prime Minister have been very positive.

He says their conversations focused on “the value that the offshore oil industry here in Newfoundland and Labrador can bring with regard to the Bay du Nord project, and how much the Churchill project can deliver to Canadians as well.” Hogan told reporters “I think we still have a bit of work to do (in) regards to Equinor sanctioning that project, and I know we have a lot of work to do as well with regards to the Churchill falls deal.”

While the NL projects are not not directly on the list, they are referenced in a section about the Wind West Atlantic Energy project in Nova Scotia.

It says that project will leverage wind power potential in Nova Scotia “and more across Atlantic Canada.”

The Prime Minister’s Office refers to it as an Eastern Energy Partnership that could include several projects, including the “further development of Churchill Falls and Gull Island.”