Canada’s federal government and the province of Nova Scotia have announced a new cooperation agreement aimed at accelerating major infrastructure projects while maintaining environmental protections and Indigenous rights.
The agreement introduces a “one project, one review” system for environmental and impact assessments, designed to reduce duplication between federal and provincial processes. Officials say projects may either follow Nova Scotia’s assessment system or a coordinated joint review, depending on what is most suitable.
The initiative is intended to speed up approvals for large-scale developments such as energy infrastructure and transmission projects, with the aim of attracting investment, creating jobs and strengthening Canada’s energy sector.
Government leaders said the approach will improve efficiency in regulatory processes while ensuring environmental standards remain in place. They also described the agreement as part of broader efforts to enhance economic resilience and support clean energy development.
This marks the fifth such agreement between Canada and a province as part of ongoing efforts to streamline infrastructure development and improve regulatory coordination across the country.
