Prince Edward Island and Canada sign co-operation agreement to accelerate major project assessments

The Government of Canada is taking steps to build a stronger and more resilient economy. That’s why the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are working to streamline environmental and impact assessments for major projects.

March 26, 2026 – Ottawa – Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

The Government of Canada is taking steps to build a stronger and more resilient economy. That’s why the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are working to streamline environmental and impact assessments for major projects.

Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, and Nature and the Honourable Darlene Compton, Minister of Land and Environment, announced the signing of the Co-operation Agreement between Prince Edward Island and Canada on Environmental and Impact Assessment.

Moving forward, the Agreement enables Canada and Prince Edward Island to implement a "one project, one review" approach that provides a streamlined, flexible assessment process that minimizes duplication for major projects in Prince Edward Island that are subject to both federal and provincial assessments. This ensures governments can decide jointly the most effective assessment process on a case-by-case basis—either by relying on Prince Edward Island’s process, relying on the federal process, or implementing a coordinated federal-provincial approach.

The Agreement also promotes coordinated communication, permitting and information sharing throughout the assessment process, and affirms the importance of meaningful consultation and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples throughout the assessment process.

Overall, it provides for a less duplicative, simplified and more predictable approach while ensuring that federal and provincial responsibilities to the environment and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights are upheld.