Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
The federal and Alberta governments have signed a co-operation agreement on environmental and impact assessments, setting out a framework intended to reduce duplication between the two jurisdictions and speed up project reviews.
The agreement builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in November 2025 and allows both levels of government to determine, on a case-by-case basis, how assessments for major projects will be conducted.
“This new agreement puts Alberta back in the driver’s seat for projects within our borders,” said Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “It means less duplication, fewer delays and stronger investor confidence, all while growing our economy and continuing to protect the environment.”
Officials say the approach is designed to streamline regulatory processes while maintaining environmental oversight and meeting obligations related to Indigenous consultation. The agreement applies to major infrastructure and natural resource projects, an area where overlapping federal and provincial requirements have long been cited by industry as a source of delays.
According to the federal government, this is the sixth such agreement signed with a province, following similar arrangements with Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, New Brunswick and British Columbia.
Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said in a statement the agreement is intended to balance economic development with environmental protections and Indigenous rights.
The agreement comes as both governments continue work under the 2025 memorandum, which outlined broader co-operation in the energy sector, including efforts tied to emissions reduction targets and resource development.
While the framework is intended to clarify roles and reduce regulatory overlap, details on how assessments will be coordinated in practice, and how decisions will be made on which process to apply, have not been fully outlined.
The federal government said the agreement was informed by input from Indigenous groups, industry and other stakeholders. Further work is expected in the coming weeks as both governments move to implement the framework.
