Alberta and Canada have signed the Cooperation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment, completing the process launched last month when both governments reached an agreement-in-principle and released the draft for public comment.
Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter signing the Canada-Alberta Cooperation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment
The agreement allows Canada to rely on Alberta’s environmental and regulatory system for projects primarily within provincial jurisdiction. For projects where both federal and provincial assessments are required, Alberta and Canada will work together to avoid duplication by coordinating permitting and jointly reviewing project conditions.
“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.”
This one-project, one-review approach reduces duplication, improves clarity and provides more predictable timelines for proponents while maintaining strong review standards. Indigenous participation remains essential to major project reviews in Alberta, and this agreement reinforces the importance of 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.”
For years, industry and investors have raised concerns that overlapping federal and provincial assessments add time, cost and uncertainty to major projects, without improving environmental outcomes. This agreement addresses those concerns by aligning reviews and putting Alberta’s proven system at the center of project decision-making.
This finalized agreement fulfills a commitment under the Alberta-Canada landmark agreement on energy cooperation and delivers on a shared objective to streamline approvals, reduce red tape and support responsible resource development.
Alberta’s government will continue working with Canada to remove barriers to investment, reduce red tape, unlock economic potential and ensure projects that meet Alberta’s high environmental standards can move forward quickly and responsibly.
Quick facts
- The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada posted the draft agreement for public comment for 21 days before it was finalized.
- The signed agreement acknowledges that Alberta’s government continues to challenge the constitutionality of various aspects of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) as improperly interfering with provincial jurisdiction.
Related information
Related news:
- A made-in-Alberta approach to methane reduction (Mar. 25, 2026)
- Faster approvals. Faster projects. (Mar. 6, 2026)
- Alberta and Ottawa ink landmark energy agreement (Nov. 27, 2025)