Canada’s Top Court Sides With Alberta Over Trudeau’s Environmental Impact Law
Friday, October 13, 2023, 9:43 AM MDT
(Reuters) — Canada’s Supreme Court on Friday ruled a federal law assessing how major infrastructure projects like coal mines and oilsands plants impact the environment is largely unconstitutional, in a blow to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
The decision is a victory for Alberta, Canada’s main fossil fuel-producing province, which opposed the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), formerly known as Bill C-69, on the grounds it gave the federal government too much power to kill natural resource projects.
“This is a significant setback for the federal government,” said David Wright, a law professor at the University of Calgary.
The court case is the latest flashpoint between the federal Liberals and Alberta’s conservative provincial government, whose Premier Danielle Smith has clashed repeatedly with Trudeau over climate policies. Industry associations also welcomed the ruling.
Major proposed projects in Alberta that fall under the IAA include Suncor Energy Inc.’s plan to expand its oilsands Base Mine, and privately held Coalspur Mine Ltd.’s Vista coal mine expansion. Read more https://www.dailyoilbulletin.com/article/2023/10/13/canadas-top-court-sides-with-alberta-over-trudeaus/ www.dailyoilbulletin.com/artic…
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