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Canada

Ottawa will not appeal ruling that Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional

The federal decision to amend rather than appeal the law affects how major projects get reviewed and approved across Canada.

Photo: Alex Ohan, Pexels

What happened

On Thursday, the federal government announced it will amend the Impact Assessment Act after an Alberta court ruled the legislation remains unconstitutional. Ground News Ottawa confirmed it will not appeal the Alberta Court of Appeal's 4-1 decision and will instead modify the law. Ground News Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin's press secretary said the government aims to create an efficient, predictable and transparent regulatory process. Ground News The press secretary said the amendments will supplement changes proposed in the Building Canada Strong Act, or Bill C-39. Ground News

Around it

The Impact Assessment Act was first passed by Justin Trudeau's government in 2019 as Bill C-69 and faced significant opposition from oil and gas industry players. Ground News Critics, including Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, called the legislation the no more pipelines act because of jurisdictional concerns. Ground News Ottawa says Bill C-39 will get major projects built faster without lowering standards, while critics say it gives ministers sweeping new powers at the expense of nature, workers and Indigenous rights. Energy vs Climate Podcast

Sources

  1. Ground NewsFeds won't appeal Alberta court ruling that Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional
  2. Energy vs Climate PodcastBuilding Canada Strong or Building Canada Wrong? Bill C-39 Explained

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