Tuesday, July 21, 2026
The federal government and the Province of Quebec announced the publication of the draft Agreement Between Quebec and Canada Concerning the Environment Quality Act and the Impact Assessment Act Within Quebec’s Territory.
This agreement would introduce a “one project, one review” approach for major projects in Quebec. This is following the signing of impact assessment agreements between Canada and other provincial governments, such as British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. It would create an assessment process that avoids duplication and respects the jurisdiction of both levels of government. It would also make it possible to deliver major projects faster and maintain strong environmental protections, all the while respecting the rights of Indigenous partners.
“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.” said Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement
“The draft agreement is a major step forward for Quebec and will help accelerate economic and energy development across our entire territory, while protecting the environment in accordance with the highest standards. 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. 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,” said Pascale Déry, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.
Featured image: Ministers Pascale Déry, left, and Joël Lightbound, July 20, 2026. (Government of Quebec)
