Should Ontario and Canada Share Environmental Reviews for Major Projects?

Official title: Have your say on the draft co-operation agreement between Ontario and Canada - Public comments invited Public Notice

Closed Policy & Studies Environment & Climate Natural Resources
Right now, big projects like mines and pipelines often need two separate environmental reviews—one federal, one provincial. The federal government wants to change that. This draft agreement with Ontario would let both governments share a single review process. The goal? Faster approvals without weakening environmental protections.

Why This Matters

Live in Ontario? This affects how major projects get approved near you. Mining companies, energy developers, and infrastructure builders have long complained about duplicate reviews. But environmental groups worry that streamlining could mean less scrutiny. Indigenous communities have constitutional rights that must be respected in these assessments.

What Could Change

If finalized, Ontario and Canada would coordinate on environmental assessments for major projects. One government could lead the review while the other accepts the results. This could cut approval timelines significantly. The agreement would also formalize how Indigenous consultation happens across both jurisdictions.

Key Issues

  • How should federal and provincial governments share responsibility for environmental assessments?
  • Will 'one project, one review' maintain strong environmental protections?
  • How will Indigenous consultation obligations be met under a shared process?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation closed on December 15, 2025. Comments were submitted through the Let's Talk Impact Assessment platform.
  2. For questions about federal-provincial cooperation on impact assessments, contact intergovernmentalaffairs-affairesintergouvernementales@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.

Key Documents