The Decibel Who’s behind Canada’s nation-building projects?
Sep 26, 2025
Emma Graney, an energy reporter at The Globe and Mail, delves into the significance of Dawn Farrell's appointment as the head of Canada’s new Major Projects Office. Graney highlights Farrell’s pragmatic leadership style, her media aversion, and her focus on project completion over publicity. They explore the MPO's mission to accelerate infrastructure projects, the challenges it faces, and how Farrell’s business-savvy approach indicates the government's commitment to swift and efficient project execution amidst various critiques.
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Pragmatic, Results-Focused Leader
- Dawn Farrell is a pragmatic, no-nonsense leader who builds relationships and focuses on results.
- Colleagues describe her as hardworking and as having an "iron fist in a velvet glove."
Silence After The Finish Line
- Farrell avoided fanfare when Trans Mountain finished and shifted immediately to running the asset.
- Mark Mackey said she wanted the project to be the center of attention, not her.
Navigating TMX's Turbulent Final Stretch
- Farrell led Trans Mountain through extreme delays, weather disruptions, and major archaeological finds.
- She had to balance governments, Indigenous groups, municipalities and oil companies to get the project over the line.