Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada sign co-operation agreement to accelerate project assessments

ST. JOHN'S, NL, Sept. 8, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries and the Honourable Chris Tibbs, Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being, Housing, Poverty Reduction, and Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, announced the Co-operation Agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada on Environmental and Impact Assessment. Minister Thompson attended on behalf of the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, and Nature, and Minister Tibbs attended on behalf of the Honourable Andrea Barbour, Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Climate Change.

The world is changing rapidly. In response, the Government of Canada is focused on building a stronger, more independent, and more resilient economy by accelerating projects, in partnership with provinces and territories.

Moving forward, the Agreement enables Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador to implement a "one project, one review" approach that provides a streamlined, flexible assessment process that minimizes duplication for projects in Newfoundland and Labrador that are subject to both federal and provincial assessments. This ensures both governments can adopt the most effective assessment process on a case-by-case basis.

The Agreement provides a simplified and more predictable approach that upholds federal and provincial responsibilities for environmental protection and Indigenous Peoples rights. It also promotes coordinated communication, information sharing, and affirms the importance of consultation and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples throughout the assessment process.

This Agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador will help create the conditions to build infrastructure faster, just like those agreements with British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. The Agreement will attract more investment in new infrastructure that will grow the economy, support workers and their families, and create high-paying careers from coast to coast to coast.

Quotes

"Newfoundland and Labrador is ready to build. We have the resources, expertise, people, and the know-how. This co-operation agreement with the province implements a "one project, one review" approach to environmental and impact assessments on major projects. We are simplifying the process to attract more investment to support our communities. Together, we're building Newfoundland and Labrador strong to build Canada strong." 

– The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Canada

"This agreement represents another milestone in efficient project reviews and shows our commitment to supporting responsible sustainable development that protect the environment, strengthen the economy, and uphold obligations to Indigenous Peoples."

– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, and Nature, Government of Canada

"This agreement in principle reflects the determination of the government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the federal government to deliver for Canadians. By reducing duplication and coordinating impact assessments, we are creating greater certainty for investors and Indigenous rights holders and helping major projects move more efficiently." 

– The Honourable 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

"Our government is focused on delivery, not delay, and this co-operation agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador is another step in getting big things built in Newfoundland and Labrador, from energy to mines to roads and new transmission lines. Improving efficiency and streamlining approvals with our partners in the province means that we can meet the moment by responsibly and efficiently building the infrastructure that will secure Canada's economic future."

– The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

"The cooperation agreement aims to streamline project assessments. By eliminating duplication in environmental assessments and regulatory processes, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada will create efficiency, increase certainty for stakeholders and attract investment in our province. Together, we will continue to ensure environmental protections are upheld and development occurs in a sustainable manner for all of us."

– The Honourable Andrea Barbour, Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Climate Change, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Quick facts

• In the Speech from the Throne, Prime Minister Carney committed to establishing co-operation agreements with all interested provincial governments. This is the eighth, after British Columbia (2019), New Brunswick (December 2025), Ontario (December 2025), Nova Scotia (March 2026), Prince Edward Island (March 2026), Alberta (April 2026), and Manitoba (April 2026).
• The Impact Assessment Cooperation Agreement Between Canada and British Columbia was the first agreement to enable most projects to undergo a single assessment process.
• All provincial co-operation agreements were informed by feedback from Indigenous groups, the public, industry, and stakeholders.
• The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is re-engineering the impact assessment process to complete major project reviews within one year.

Associated links

• Co-operation Agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada on Environmental and Impact Assessment 
• Basics of co-operation in federal impact assessments
• Speech from the Throne
• Major Projects Office

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SOURCE Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Contacts: Keean Nembhard, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, and Nature, 343-552-2387, [email protected]; Media Relations, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, 343-549-3870, [email protected]; Ira Khedkar, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, [email protected]; Sherri Breen, Media Relations Manager, Environment, Conversation and Climate Change, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, 709-729-5449, [email protected]