Canada, Alberta propose ‘one project, one review’ framework to speed up infrastructure approvals

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Friday released a draft Canada–Alberta Co-operation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment, which will be open for public consultation for 21 days.

If adopted, the agreement would introduce a "one project, one review" system for major infrastructure proposals in Alberta.

Officials say the framework aims to streamline regulatory reviews while maintaining environmental protections and respecting Indigenous rights.

The proposal builds on similar agreements Ottawa has already reached with the governments of British Columbia, New Brunswick and Ontario.

According to a statement, the new approach is intended to reduce duplication between federal and provincial assessments, allowing projects such as pipelines, rail netorks and power generation facilities to move through the approval process more quickly.

Carney said the agreement is part of Canada’s strategy to strengthen economic resilience amid shifting global trade patterns.

"The world is changing rapidly," Carney said in a statement. "Together, we will build big and build fast to create a stronger, more sustainable and more independent economy for Albertans and all Canadians."

Smith said the agreement would allow Alberta to approve projects more quickly by limiting overlapping federal reviews on projects within provincial jurisdiction.

"This agreement is a meaningful next step toward faster, more efficient project reviews," Smith said. "This will see Alberta projects approved faster and shovels in the ground sooner."

Federal officials said the initiative forms part of a broader national strategy to expand infrastructure and energy exports while attracting investment to Canada’s natural-resource sector.

Photo: PMO Canada

Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for intergovernmental affairs and trade, said the government is working with provinces to simplify regulatory processes and remove duplication in project approvals.

"By removing redundancy and duplication, we are enabling Canada to build faster, attract massive investment and ultimately build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy," LeBlanc said.