Canada Targets One-Year Project Reviews

Janaka Ruwanpura, a professor at the University of Calgary, argues Canada’s slow project approval processes hinder economic growth and energy security. He points to a regulatory system plagued by delays, duplication, and unpredictability, impacting sectors from energy to infrastructure. Ruwanpura, an Albertan, welcomes the federal government’s proposed legislative changes aiming for a one-year federal review timeline for major projects.

He stresses that faster approvals shouldn’t compromise environmental standards or Indigenous rights. Instead, improvements require integrated reviews involving federal, provincial, and Indigenous authorities from the start. He also advocates for shifting Indigenous engagement to co-development, and using technologies for real-time environmental monitoring.

However, Ruwanpura acknowledges concerns from environmental groups and communities must be addressed. Successfully implementing these changes requires adequate funding for regulatory agencies and a commitment to accountability, as simply setting targets isn’t enough. The work to balance responsible development and environmental stewardship continues.