Concern over weakening Environmental Assesments after Alberta's failure to hold polluters accountable

I am concerned that this proposed agreement significantly shifts practical control of environmental assessments to the Government of Alberta while reducing independent federal oversight.

While the agreement states that neither party cedes jurisdiction, several provisions effectively prioritize provincial processes and reduce the likelihood of federal review.

For example, clause 1(1) indicates that Canada will rely on Alberta’s environmental assessment processes when projects are primarily within provincial jurisdiction. Clause 6 further states that federal assessment conditions should defer to provincial conditions where duplication exists. Together, these provisions risk creating a system where the federal government largely accepts provincial determinations even when projects may have broader environmental consequences.

This approach raises concerns because Alberta already faces substantial unresolved environmental liabilities. Thousands of inactive and orphan oil and gas wells remain unreclaimed, and the long-term cost of remediation continues to grow. These liabilities illustrate the risks of relying primarily on provincial regulatory frameworks that have historically struggled to ensure timely cleanup and enforcement.

Additionally, the agreement allows Alberta to take the lead on consultation with Indigenous Peoples for projects primarily under provincial jurisdiction. While coordination is important, the federal government has constitutional responsibilities related to Indigenous rights. It is not clear that those obligations are adequately safeguarded if federal assessments are frequently deferred. Not to mention the current political climate between the Chiefs and the current Alberta Government.

Finally, there are ongoing public concerns in Alberta regarding major resource development proposals that could affect water systems and ecosystems, including proposed coal mining in sensitive watersheds. Many Albertans believe strong independent oversight is necessary to ensure environmental protections and long-term public interests are properly considered.

Streamlining regulatory processes and reducing duplication is a reasonable policy goal. However, efficiency should not come at the expense of accountability or environmental protection. Federal environmental assessments exist in part to provide an independent review when projects raise broader national interests or environmental risks.

For these reasons, I urge both governments to reconsider provisions that prioritize provincial processes by default. Any cooperative assessment framework should ensure that the federal government maintains a meaningful and independent role in evaluating projects that could have significant environmental, ecological, or Indigenous rights implications.