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Defending environmental laws that protect all Canadians

Reference re Impact Assessment Act

March 4, 2020

Ecojustice is going to the Supreme Court of Canada to uphold and defend an important environmental law that protects people across Canada, and the air, water, and land we all depend on.

Under Canadian law, protecting our environment is the shared responsibility of both federal and provincial governments. Canadians of all political stripes must work together to safeguard that environment.

In 2019, the Alberta government launched a legal challenge against the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and its regulations. Ecojustice intervened in this challenge; however, in May 2022 the Alberta Court of Appeal found in favour of the Alberta government.

This decision is now being appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada and will be heard on March 21 – March 22, 2023.

When this legislation was passing through federal parliament as Bill C-69, Canadians from across the country came together to help shape a law that balances -industry, environmental and Indigenous interests.

It is a good law that improves upon the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, legislation by:

  • Bringing important issues to light early in the planning phase, which heads off delays and litigation;
  • Clearly defining the criteria for whether a project’s effects in federal jurisdiction are in the public interest by addressing sustainability, environmental obligations, cumulative effects, mitigation, and effects on Indigenous rights; and
  • Providing greater transparency on important environmental decisions, with no more decision-making behind closed doors for reasons that are not disclosed.

Ecojustice is fighting to defend the IAA because it is balanced, hard-fought legislation that is the product of collaboration between Canadians of all backgrounds, the federal government and Ecojustice lawyers. It is a good law that provides greater protection to the Canadian environment.

At a time when Canada is facing the looming impacts of the climate emergency, biodiversity loss and exposure to dangerous pollution, we need good environmental laws that work for everyone in Canada.

All governments, whether provincial or federal, have a responsibility to take action to address these crises, and that is why we need good laws like the IAA.

Ecojustice is going to court to make sure that provinces who prioritize extraction over protection of the environment are not able to stand in the way of important legislation.

Ecojustice staff

Anna McIntosh

Josh Ginsberg

Mar 2023
An oil field with a large pump. Blue mountains are in the background. Overlaid is the faint image of rulers and a pencil.
press release

Ecojustice before the Supreme Court to uphold crucial environmental assessment law

OTTAWA/TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHNAABEG PEOPLE – Ecojustice will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada tomorrow to uphold and defend the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA), an important environmental law that protects people across Canada, and the air, water, and land we all depend on.
Nov 2022
An oil field with a large pump. Blue mountains are in the background. Overlaid is the faint image of rulers and a pencil.
press release

Federal impact assessment law must be upheld

OTTAWA/TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHNAABEG PEOPLE – Ecojustice has been granted intervenor status to appear before the Supreme Court of Canada to uphold the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and its regulations.
May 2022
A large industrial complex sits against a sunset. Large smoke stacks blow smoke into the orange sky above.
press release

Alberta Court of Appeal hands down disappointing opinion on constitutionality of Canada’s Impact Assessment Act

The case will now be appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Feb 2021
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press release

Ecojustice to challenge Premier Kenney’s anti-environment agenda in court once again

Canada’s largest environmental law charity to defend federal Impact Assessment Act CALGARY/TERRITORIES OF THE BLACKFOOT AND PEOPLES OF TREATY 7, HOME TO MÉTIS NATION OF ALBERTA, REGION III  – Ecojustice lawyers will be in court this week to defend the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and its regulations, the latest target of the Alberta government’s.
Feb 2021
An aerial view looks down at a clearing. A forest of trees begins at the foot of snow capped mountains.
blog

Good environmental laws protect all Canadians

Premier Kenney’s attack on environmental protections is politically motivated This article was originally published in the Edmonton Journal on February 20, 2021 Next week the Alberta government is going to court to try and challenge the constitutionality of Canada’s newest environmental law, the Impact Assessment Act (IAA).
Feb 2021
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blog

Defending Canada’s environmental assessment law

This article was originally published by The Lawyer’s Daily (thelawyersdaily.
Mar 2020
An industrial complex with many smoke stacks in the winter. Smoke rises from the stacks pouring into the sky.
blog

Ecojustice is going back to court to stop Kenney from derailing Canada’s environmental assessment law

Ecojustice is going back to court to stop Alberta Premier Jason Kenney from derailing the product of years of hard work by supporters like you — and thousands of your fellow Canadians — to improve Canada’s environment assessment regime.
Mar 2020
An industrial complex with many smoke stacks in the winter. Smoke rises from the stacks pouring into the sky.
press release

Ecojustice to face-off against Kenney gov’t in court again

Environmental group intervening in legal proceedings to defend federal Impact Assessment Act For immediate release March 4, 2020 CALGARY – Ecojustice is intervening in another constitutional reference case brought by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, this time aimed at undermining the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and its regulations.