One Project, One Review Is Now Policy. Here's What It Means for Your Capital Projects.

Canada's federal government has finalized cooperation agreements with six provinces — Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia — to implement a single, harmonized environmental assessment process for major projects. The goal: reduce approval timelines from five years to two. For Indigenous Nations and organizations with capital projects in the pipeline, this regulatory shift changes the planning calculus significantly.

The Problem: Regulatory Complexity Has Been a Project Killer

Overlapping federal and provincial environmental assessment processes have been one of the most significant barriers to major project delivery in Canada. Projects have faced duplicative reviews, inconsistent timelines, and regulatory uncertainty that has deterred investment and delayed community benefits. For Indigenous Nations pursuing infrastructure and resource development projects, this complexity has been particularly costly.

The One Project One Review framework does not eliminate the duty to consult with Indigenous peoples — it explicitly preserves it. But it does create a more predictable and efficient pathway for projects that have completed their consultation obligations and are ready to move through assessment.

What the Reform Means in Practice

• A single harmonized assessment process replaces duplicative federal and provincial reviews in participating provinces

• Maximum two-year timeline for all federal decisions on major projects — down from five years

• Early assessment decisions available to reduce uncertainty for project proponents

• Indigenous rights and consultation obligations are explicitly preserved — not reduced

• British Columbia signed the first cooperation agreement in 2019 — projects in BC have been operating under this framework for years

What Capital Project Leaders Need to Do

The One Project One Review framework rewards project proponents who arrive at the assessment process with their consultation documentation complete, their project scope clearly defined, and their governance structures in place. Communities and organizations that treat regulatory readiness as a project management discipline — not an afterthought — will move through the new process faster and with fewer surprises.

• Confirm whether your project falls under a province with a finalized cooperation agreement

• Document your consultation activities and outcomes in a format that satisfies both federal and provincial requirements

• Engage the Major Projects Office early if your project qualifies for designation

• Build regulatory timelines into your capital project plan from the outset

Conclusion

One Project One Review is a genuine improvement to Canada's regulatory environment for major projects. For Indigenous Nations and capital project leaders, it creates a faster pathway to project approval — but only for those who are prepared. Regulatory readiness is now a competitive advantage.

XNM Consulting supports Indigenous Nations and project proponents with capital project governance, regulatory strategy, and program delivery. Contact us to discuss how we can help your organization navigate the new regulatory environment and move your projects forward.