The federal and Alberta governments have reached an agreement in principle aimed at accelerating approvals for major infrastructure projects in the province.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a draft co-operation agreement Friday that would streamline environmental and impact assessments for large projects.
The proposal would introduce a “one project, one review” approach designed to reduce regulatory overlap between federal and provincial governments while maintaining environmental protections and Indigenous consultation requirements.
“This agreement is a meaningful next step toward faster, more efficient project reviews,” Smith said in a statement.
Consultation period launched
The draft agreement will be open for public consultation for 21 days, from March 6 to March 27.
It will be posted on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s public engagement website, where feedback can be submitted online.
Funding will also be available to support Indigenous groups participating in the consultation process.
The agreement builds on a memorandum of understanding signed by Ottawa and Alberta in November 2025 aimed at strengthening collaboration in the energy sector and supporting Canada’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Focus on energy and infrastructure projects
Federal officials say the agreement could help speed up approvals for major projects such as pipelines, rail infrastructure, electricity generation and transmission networks.
Carney said the partnership is intended to strengthen Canada’s economy and diversify trade relationships amid shifting global markets.
“In the face of global trade shifts, Canada and Alberta are launching the next phase of our partnership,” Carney said.
“Together, we will build big and build fast to create a stronger, more sustainable, more independent economy.”
Part of broader regulatory reforms
The federal government has been negotiating similar co-operation agreements with other provinces, including British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick.
Ottawa says the agreements aim to reduce duplication in project reviews while maintaining environmental standards and respecting Indigenous rights.
Through the federal Major Projects Office, the government says it is helping coordinate tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure investments.
Officials say current major project initiatives across Canada represent more than $116 billion in potential economic investment and are expected to support thousands of jobs.