US EditionNew Brunswick agrees to joint federal and provincial environmental reviews
The agreement aims to speed up assessments to within two years while preserving strong environmental protections and First Nations consultation, officials said.
- On Dec. 16, 2025, New Brunswick and the federal government of Canada signed a joint environmental assessment agreement, making New Brunswick the first province to do so under a 'one project, one review' approach.
- Holt says the two governments have agreed to remove duplication by simplifying environmental review procedures, allowing provincial and federal review processes to share expertise while preserving standards and First Nations consultation.
- Officials mentioned specific projects that could benefit, including Mount Pleasant Mine, St. George, Caribou Mine, Bathurst, and a major port of Saint John upgrade, while Susan Holt said the change aims to give project proponents clearer timelines.
- In a federal news release, Ottawa committed to relying on New Brunswick's processes and using joint review panels, moving Canada closer to its two years objective for assessments.
- Some past cases show limits to faster approvals, as major projects like the long-delayed Sisson Mine near Fredericton underwent joint assessments, and Susan Holt said its pause stemmed from market conditions and China’s price influence.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Ottawa, New Brunswick Sign Deal to Speed Up Major Project Assessments
Ottawa and New Brunswick have signed an agreement to speed up environmental impact assessments for major projects in the province by only requiring a single review. The new agreement allows Ottawa and New Brunswick to implement a “one project, one review” approach for all major projects in the province of New Brunswick that require a federal and provincial assessment, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada said in a Dec. 16 news release. The mea…
N.B. first province to sign on to Carney's 'one project, one review'
New Brunswick is the first province this year to sign on to the “one project, one review” approach pushed by Prime Minister Mark Carney that will ensure the feds and province team up and speed up environmental reviews of big industrial projects.
Global News
New Brunswick agrees to joint federal and provincial environmental reviews - New Brunswick
The premier says the new process would maintain high environmental standards for projects and ensure meaningful consultation with local First Nations.
Bowen Island Undercurrent
New Brunswick agrees to joint federal and provincial environmental reviews
HALIFAX — New Brunswick has become the first province to sign an agreement with the federal government to create a joint environmental assessment process for major projects.
New Brunswick enters into an agreement with Ottawa to avoid duplication of environmental impact assessments for large projects.
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