No to Cooperation Agreement between Alberta and Canada

I am an Albertan, and I strongly oppose the recent draft Cooperation Agreement between Alberta and Canada on Environmental and Impact Assessment.

This agreement represents a troubling abdication of federal responsibility. Major resource and infrastructure projects pose serious and lasting risks to our land, water, and communities—areas that are clearly within federal jurisdiction and duty.

By shifting oversight to Alberta’s regulatory system, the federal government is relying on a process that is neither designed to uphold federal law nor trusted by the public. When project scope can be narrowly defined or risks minimized, the result is predictable: significant environmental and community impacts are ignored, dismissed, or inadequately assessed.

This agreement undermines transparency and strips Albertans of meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that directly affect their health, livelihoods, and future. That is unacceptable.

Equally alarming is the statement that Alberta “views UNDRIP as non-binding.” This calls into serious question whether Indigenous Peoples will receive the meaningful consultation and respect for their rights that is required.

Albertans deserve far better. We need a rigorous, independent impact assessment process that restores federal oversight, is grounded in science, fully considers climate and cumulative effects, ensures transparency, respects Indigenous rights, and guarantees meaningful public participation.

Anything less fails both the environment and the people of this province.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Davidson