Alberta and Canada have signed a final Cooperation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment aimed at reducing duplication, strengthening investor certainty, and relying more heavily on Alberta’s regulatory system for major projects.The deal allows Canada to defer to Alberta’s environmental and regulatory framework for projects primarily within provincial jurisdiction. For projects requiring both federal and provincial assessments, the two governments will coordinate permitting and jointly review project conditions to avoid unnecessary duplication.“This new agreement puts Alberta back in the driver’s seat for projects within our borders. It means less duplication, fewer delays and stronger investor confidence, all while growing our economy and continuing to protect the environment,” said Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.The “one-project, one-review” approach is designed to provide clearer timelines and more predictable processes for project proponents while maintaining strong environmental standards. .Indigenous participation remains a key component of major project reviews, with the agreement emphasizing meaningful engagement and collaboration throughout the process.“Indigenous communities play a vital role in the responsible development of major projects in Alberta. This agreement supports clearer, more coordinated processes while ensuring indigenous perspectives continue to be heard and reflected in project decisions,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Indigenous Relations.Industry and investors have long argued that overlapping federal and provincial assessments add time, cost and uncertainty to projects without improving environmental outcomes. This agreement addresses those concerns by placing Alberta’s system at the centre of project decision-making, fulfilling commitments under the Alberta-Canada energy cooperation framework and supporting responsible resource development.Alberta’s government says it will continue working with Ottawa to remove barriers to investment, reduce red tape, unlock economic potential, and ensure projects that meet the province’s high environmental standards can proceed efficiently.The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada posted the draft agreement for public comment for 21 days before finalizing it. The signed deal also acknowledges Alberta’s ongoing constitutional challenges to parts of the federal Impact Assessment Act.
