Feds won’t appeal Alberta court ruling that Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional

Detailed summary

The federal government says it won't appeal a recent court decision which said Ottawa's Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional.

OTTAWA - The federal government says it won’t appeal a recent court decision which said Ottawa’s Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional.

In October, the Alberta Court of Appeal said parts of the law still infringe on provincial jurisdiction, despite modifications made by Ottawa after the Supreme Court struck down much of the law in 2023.

A spokesperson for Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin tells The Canadian Press Ottawa will instead amend the act to account for the court ruling last month.

The Impact Assessment Act, also known as Bill C-69, has been staunchly opposed by oil and gas industry players and has been labelled the “no more pipelines act” by federal Conservatives and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has long called for the bill to be repealed.

Dabrusin’s office did not say when it will share details of the proposed changes.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Toronto Star. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.