Canada and Quebec have taken another step toward streamlining approvals for major infrastructure and resource projects with the release of a draft agreement that would introduce a “one project, one review” approach for projects within Quebec.
Announced in Montreal on July 20 by the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Québec Lieutenant, alongside Quebec Environment Minister Pascale Déry, the proposed agreement would align federal and provincial impact assessment processes to reduce duplication while maintaining environmental protections and respecting Indigenous rights.
The draft agreement follows similar impact assessment arrangements already established between the federal government and British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. If finalized, the agreement would establish a coordinated review process designed to provide greater certainty for project proponents while preserving the responsibilities of both governments.
The proposal comes as Ottawa continues working with provinces and territories to accelerate nationally significant projects that support export growth, investment and long-term economic resilience amid shifting global trade and economic conditions.
The draft agreement is now open for a 21-day public consultation period, during which members of the public and Indigenous Peoples can provide feedback before the final agreement is completed and implemented.
Federal ministers said the agreement is intended to create a more predictable regulatory framework that supports investment while maintaining rigorous environmental oversight.
“Canada and Quebec share the same ambition: to do things better and faster. The draft agreement announced today and our new “one project, one review” approach will help reduce the duplication of regulatory authorization systems all the while strengthening environmental protection measures. In offering more predictability to proponents and to communities, we are creating conditions that are favourable to investments and the completion of new projects in Quebec,” noted the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Québec Lieutenant.
“This draft agreement with Quebec reflects our commitment to working with provinces to ensure the implementation of a “one project, one review” approach for major projects. By reducing duplication and ensuring collaboration, we can move projects forward more efficiently while upholding our strong environmental standards and honouring our respective constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples,” explained the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature.
The agreement also received support from ministers responsible for intergovernmental affairs, economic development and provincial relations, who emphasized the role of coordinated assessments in improving investment certainty while respecting constitutional responsibilities and existing Indigenous agreements.
“This agreement in principle illustrates cooperative federalism in action: we are working together with the government of Quebec to eliminate duplication while aligning our respective impact assessment processes all the while respecting each other’s jurisdictions. It will provide the kind of predictability that will benefit both to investors and to Indigenous rights holders, ensuring that major projects move forward efficiently and responsibly,” stated the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy.
“The draft agreement between the Government of Quebec and the federal government will accelerate economic and energy development across our entire territory, while protecting the environment. By having a single environmental assessment and a single government decision for the same project, we will make it easier to carry out major projects by reducing uncertainty for investors and providing them with greater predictability,” explained the Honourable Pascale Déry, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.
“I am very proud of the outcome of the negotiations announced today. It demonstrates the shared commitment of the Government of Quebec and the federal government to facilitating the development of projects that will drive economic growth. This agreement also underscores the importance that Quebec places on the decision-making and consultative processes set out in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, as well as in the Northeastern Quebec Agreement,” said the Honourable Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour and Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations.
“Companies need an efficient and predictable framework to carry out their projects. By adopting the principle of a single environmental assessment and a single government decision for each project, we are simplifying procedures and reducing delays and costs for proponents, while still maintaining rigorous environmental standards. This is a concrete way to provide businesses with more predictability and support Quebec’s economic development,” stated the Honourable Bernard Drainville, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister Responsible for Maritime Strategy.
