I can say this about the application approval, I myself have applied for many permits in Canada and of course most of them were on a fast track basis based on the contract approvals and the seasonal work that goes on in Canada. Canada has one of the toughest permits to attain but on a fast track basis they will give you a verbal to begin gearing up for your operation knowing that it takes time to prepare and mobilize. They wouldn't give you a verbal approval to begin anything without most of the documentation being turned and having a pretty good idea that the permit will be granted.
I'm sure there will be people saying that's not true however I know it to be factual and anyone who believes that you don't get verbal approvals to begin the preparation has never been involved in big business!
If in fact they were given a verbal go ahead to start on the building then those same people are fairly certain that the application is or will be in order and sufficient to attain the necessary permits!