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OTTAWA — The federal and Alberta governments have reached a preliminary agreement aimed at speeding up approvals for major construction and energy projects by giving the province a greater role in regulatory reviews.
Both governments say the deal would introduce a “one project, one review” approach intended to reduce duplication between provincial and federal assessment processes and improve timelines for major developments.
Under the proposed framework, projects that fall primarily under Alberta’s jurisdiction — including many non-renewable resource developments — would rely on the province’s environmental and impact assessment process. When projects involve federal lands or areas of federal authority, Ottawa would integrate Alberta’s process into the federal review.
The draft agreement says regulators from both levels of government would work together to reach a single decision where both federal and provincial assessments apply.
The plan also addresses Indigenous consultation. When a project falls mainly under provincial jurisdiction, the federal government would recognize Alberta as best placed to conduct consultations with Indigenous communities through its own consultation policies.
Both governments say the agreement maintains commitments to respect Indigenous rights protected under Section 35 of the Constitution and to ensure Indigenous participation in project assessments.
The proposal comes as Alberta continues to challenge the constitutionality of the federal Impact Assessment Act, which came into force in 2019 and has been criticized by the province and some industry groups as creating delays for major resource projects.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2023 that parts of the legislation exceeded Ottawa’s authority, though Alberta launched a second legal challenge after the federal government amended the law.
Industry and business groups welcomed the proposed agreement, saying clearer and more efficient regulatory processes are important for attracting investment and reducing uncertainty around major projects.
The two governments say the draft agreement will be posted publicly for comment before being finalized later this month.
Similar agreements coordinating project reviews have already been completed between Ottawa and the governments of British Columbia, New Brunswick and Ontario.
The announcement comes as Alberta and Ottawa continue negotiations tied to a broader energy agreement reached last year that includes deadlines for resolving issues such as industrial carbon pricing and methane emissions rules.
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