The federal government is making a significant change to how major energy projects are regulated in Canada.
Under a new decision, oil sands facilities and gas-fired electricity plants will no longer be regulated under the federal Impact Assessment Act, commonly known as Bill C-69.
Instead, those projects will be left primarily to the provinces to regulate and approve.
The move fulfills a commitment made to Alberta under the federal government’s memorandum of understanding and implementation agreement.
The province says the change will reduce costly regulatory duplication and uncertainty, while helping Alberta’s energy and electricity sectors attract investment and expand.
But Alberta says more work remains.
The province continues to call for Bill C-69 to be repealed or amended further, arguing that provincial autonomy must be fully respected.
Alberta will also continue its case before the province’s Court of Appeal.
Still, the province says today’s announcement is another important step in the right direction — for Alberta and for Canada.
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