"One Project, One Review": Co-operation Agreements for the Assessment of Major Projects

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is seeking feedback on its approach to co-operation with provinces for reviewing major projects.

The paper outlines the Government of Canada’s proposed approach for working with provinces to achieve a “one project, one review” in the assessment of major projects under co-operation agreements and what could be included in such agreements with interested provinces.

Why this initiative?

The Government of Canada has set a clear priority to build one Canadian economy and to identify and expedite nation-building projects that will connect and transform our country.

In the 2025 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada committed to striking co-operation agreements with every interested province within six months to realize its goal of “one project, one review.” Canada’s First Ministers subsequently agreed to work toward efficiently and effectively implementing “one project, one review” with the goal of a single assessment for all projects, in a manner that respects federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdiction, enhancing co-ordination activities on permitting and eliminating duplication.

Co-operation agreements under the Impact Assessment Act will enable this and provide for “one project, one review.” These agreements would apply when a project is subject to both a federal and provincial assessment, which could include a project scheduled under the Building Canada Act if the project would otherwise be subject to federal and provincial assessments. As such, having co-operation agreements in place will help ensure accelerated assessments for nation building projects, and for all other major projects.

A paper is available for public comment, which outlines the proposed approach to working with provinces on the assessment of major projects under co-operation agreements and what could be included in agreements with provinces, with the goal of “one project, one review” to meet shared and respective responsibilities to protect the environment and Indigenous rights through a single process from the perspective of proponents, the public, and Indigenous groups.

In the future

Once draft Ministerial co-operation agreements with individual provinces are available, each draft agreement will also be posted for public comment. These agreements will be based on the federal approach outlined in the paper and tailored to reflect each province’s unique legislative framework and assessment process. The approach allows flexibility to adapt to provincial contexts, ensuring effective collaboration while respecting jurisdictional responsibilities.

Have your say

We are seeking feedback on the draft co-operation approach paper.

The comment period is your chance to review and provide input on the Government of Canada's proposed approach to working with provinces.

The comment period starts September 19, 2025, and ends November 7, 2025.

To upload a comment or a submission, please register or sign in.

Comments and submissions will be made public in the official language in which they are received. You can also consult comments and submissions published on the French page.

Comments received will inform the final co-operation agreement.

IAAC will make individual draft agreements available for comment is they become available.