The federal and Quebec governments have released a draft agreement that would establish a “one project, one review” approach for major projects in Quebec, with the aim of reducing regulatory duplication while maintaining environmental protections and Indigenous consultation requirements.
The draft Agreement Between Quebec and Canada Concerning the Environment Quality Act and the Impact Assessment Act Within Quebec’s Territory was announced by Joël Lightbound, federal Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, alongside Quebec Environment Minister Pascale Déry.
If finalized, the agreement would align federal and provincial impact assessment processes so that major projects undergo a single environmental review and receive a single government decision. Officials say the approach is intended to streamline approvals, improve regulatory certainty for project proponents and investors, and accelerate major infrastructure and economic development projects.
The proposed agreement follows similar federal impact assessment agreements already finalized with British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
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The federal government said the framework is designed to eliminate overlapping assessment processes while respecting the jurisdictions of both governments, maintaining environmental safeguards and upholding constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples.
The draft agreement is open for a 21-day public consultation. Members of the public and Indigenous Peoples can submit comments between July 20 and August 10, 2026. Feedback will be considered before the agreement is finalized. Funding has been made available to support Indigenous participation during the consultation period.
Federal officials said the agreement is part of broader efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy by creating a more efficient regulatory environment for major projects as the country seeks to diversify trade and attract investment.
“Canada and Quebec share the same ambition: to do things better and faster,” said Lightbound. “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.”
Federal Environment, Climate Change and Nature Minister Julie Dabrusin said the agreement reflects the government’s commitment to implementing a consistent “one project, one review” approach across the country.
“By reducing duplication and ensuring collaboration, we can move projects forward more efficiently while upholding our strong environmental standards and honouring our respective constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples,” Dabrusin said.
Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, said the agreement demonstrates “cooperative federalism in action.”
“It will provide the kind of predictability that will benefit both investors and Indigenous rights holders, ensuring that major projects move forward efficiently and responsibly,” he said.
Déry described the draft agreement as “a major step forward for Quebec” that would help accelerate economic and energy development while maintaining high environmental 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,” she said.
The Quebec agreement would become the eighth provincial impact assessment co-operation agreement signed by the federal government since 2019. Officials said the development and implementation of such agreements are informed by feedback from Indigenous groups, industry, stakeholders and the public.
The initiative also supports the federal government’s broader strategy to advance major projects through the Major Projects Office, which is intended to facilitate tens of billions of dollars in investment while improving regulatory efficiency.
