#natural-resources

The Supreme Court of Canada has delivered a landmark ruling, finding the federal Impact Assessment Act largely unconstitutional. In a 5-2 decision, the majority opinion stated that the 2019 law, known as Bill C-69, oversteps federal authority by infringing on powers exclusively granted to the provinces under the Constitution. The court found the Act's 'public interest' determination treated all major projects as inherently federal, regardless of their primary jurisdiction. This decision represents a significant victory for provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan, forcing Ottawa to rewrite its environmental review legislation for major resource projects.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in a 5-2 majority decision, has issued an advisory opinion stating that the federal Impact Assessment Act is largely unconstitutional. The court found that the law, which assesses the environmental and social impacts of major resource and infrastructure projects, oversteps federal authority and infringes on provincial jurisdiction over natural resources. The ruling represents a significant victory for Alberta and other provinces that challenged the legislation. The federal government has acknowledged the decision and has pledged to revise the law to align with the court's guidance.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in a 5-2 majority decision, has issued an advisory opinion stating that the federal Impact Assessment Act is largely unconstitutional. The court found that the 2019 law, known as Bill C-69, oversteps federal jurisdiction by treating all major projects as federal matters, thereby infringing on provincial powers over natural resources. The ruling sides with Alberta and other provinces who argued the law gave Ottawa a de facto veto over projects within their domain. The federal government must now revise the legislation to align with the constitutional division of powers.

The Supreme Court of Canada has issued a landmark advisory opinion, ruling in a 5-2 decision that the federal Impact Assessment Act is largely unconstitutional. The majority found the legislation, which assesses major energy and infrastructure projects, oversteps federal authority by intruding into areas of provincial jurisdiction. The ruling is a significant victory for provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan, which challenged the law, arguing it hindered resource development. The federal government must now revise the legislation, creating a period of regulatory uncertainty for major projects across the country.