#energy-sector

The federal government has introduced legislation to amend the Impact Assessment Act following a landmark Supreme Court of Canada ruling that found the law to be largely unconstitutional. The court determined the 2019 law, known as Bill C-69, improperly intruded on provincial jurisdiction over resource projects. The proposed changes aim to narrow the scope of federal reviews, focusing specifically on areas of federal authority like fisheries and Indigenous rights, rather than a project's overall public interest. This move seeks to provide clarity for industry while addressing the constitutional concerns raised by the court and several provinces.

The Supreme Court of Canada has delivered a landmark opinion, finding the federal Impact Assessment Act largely unconstitutional in a major victory for Alberta and other provinces. The Court ruled that the 2019 law, often criticized as the "No More Pipelines" bill, improperly intruded on provincial jurisdiction over resource development. By focusing on a project's overall effects rather than those specifically within federal authority, the legislation created an unconstitutional overreach. The decision compels Ottawa to redraft its environmental review process, significantly altering the landscape for major energy and infrastructure projects across Canada.

The Supreme Court of Canada has delivered a significant advisory opinion, finding the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA) to be largely unconstitutional. In a 5-2 decision, the court ruled that the legislation, formerly known as Bill C-69, oversteps federal authority by infringing on areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction over resource development. The ruling states the law's focus on overall "public interest" is too broad, effectively giving Ottawa a veto over projects primarily within provincial control. The decision sends the federal government back to the drawing board to redraft legislation governing major project approvals.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in a landmark 5-2 decision, has found the federal Impact Assessment Act to be largely unconstitutional. The court ruled that the legislation, which assesses the environmental and social impacts of major resource and infrastructure projects, oversteps federal jurisdiction and infringes on powers reserved for the provinces. Chief Justice Richard Wagner, writing for the majority, stated the law's focus on a project's overall "public interest" was too broad. The ruling is a significant victory for Alberta and other provinces, potentially streamlining approvals for future energy projects.

The Supreme Court of Canada has delivered a landmark ruling, finding the federal government's Impact Assessment Act is largely unconstitutional. In a 5-2 decision, the court sided with Alberta and other provinces, concluding the legislation oversteps federal authority by intruding into areas of provincial jurisdiction over resource development. The ruling strikes down key provisions of the 2019 law, often called the 'No More Pipelines Act' by critics. The federal government must now redraft the legislation, creating significant uncertainty for major energy and mining projects across the country.