In 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada determined most of the IAA was unconstitutional, finding it allowed the federal government to regulate projects outside its jurisdiction. Late last year, Parliament made minor amendments to the act, which Alberta argues do little to render the law constitutional.
The Government of Alberta is now asking the Alberta Court of Appeal to rule on whether the current version of the IAA continues to violate provincial rights.
And as in the 2023 Supreme Court case, the CCF is once again intervening in this new case. The CCF argued in the February 2026 hearing that leaving the IAA in place could seriously weaken Canada’s constitutional division of powers and undermine key principles of federalism, including the principle that each matter belongs exclusively to one order of government. Maintaining clear boundaries between federal and provincial jurisdiction is essential to upholding the rule of law and democratic accountability.
Alberta’s Impact Assessment Act challenge (Intervention)
CCF Launch: July 23, 2025
Jurisdiction: Alberta Court of Appeal
Status: Ongoing
Next Key Date: Awaiting decision
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