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Former minister says energy project review changes could cause further delays

On Friday, the federal government announced proposed changes shifting reviews for major energy projects to the Canada Energy Regulator instead of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Cabinet would gain power to approve long-route pipelines before the regulator completes its review.
Former environment minister Catherine McKenna, who helped create the Impact Assessment Agency eight years ago, warned the proposal risks further delays. She argued the changes would erode trust and trigger protests and lawsuits.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May noted that previous attempts to accelerate reviews, such as moving assessments to the National Energy Board in 2012, resulted in court-quashed permits due to inadequate Indigenous consultation and environmental oversight.
Jay Khosla, executive director of economic and energy policy with the Public Policy Forum, argued success depends on how officials manage the process. Reviews must be "litigation-proof" to avoid pitfalls causing projects to stall.
These debates echo the legislative climate surrounding C-69, which passed in 2019, when the government faced two controversial projects: the Northern Gateway pipeline and the Trans Mountain expansion. The recurring tension reflects ongoing challenges in Canadian energy policy.

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Former minister says energy project review changes could cause further delays

OTTAWA - The former environment minister who helped to create the Impact Assessment Agency eight years ago says the federal government's proposal to change how pipelines are assessed risks delaying

3 hours ago·Toronto, Canada

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