Ottawa won't appeal ruling that Impact Assessment Act still oversteps provincial powers

The federal government says it will not appeal an October Alberta Court of Appeal ruling that parts of the Impact Assessment Act remain unconstitutional, and will instead amend the law. The court found the act, revised after the Supreme Court struck down much of it in 2023, still lets Ottawa stop projects in provincial jurisdiction over even the smallest federal impact. A spokesperson for Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said details of the amendments will come later, without giving a date, and will work alongside Bill C-39, which aims to cut project review times. Alberta's government called the decision a win.