Alberta challenge to federal project review law being heard in court, again

By Canadian Press on February 24, 2026.

CALGARY — Alberta is taking another run at having a court strike down federal project review legislation.

The Alberta Court of Appeal is hearing the province’s second challenge to Ottawa’s Impact Assessment Act in Calgary this week.

The act sets out a process to review the environmental, economic, health and social effects of proposed projects, such as pipelines, and has been staunchly opposed by oil and gas industry players.

It came into force in 2019 and Alberta challenged it in court, saying it encroached on its jurisdiction.

The case made its way up to the Supreme Court of Canada, which found much of the act reached beyond Ottawa’s constitutional powers.

The federal government amended the act to address those issues, but Alberta contends it remains unconstitutional.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2026.

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press