News Release: A single additional line is the outcome of public engagement on the Co-operation Agreement between Canada and Alberta.

April 2, 2026

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• Energy
• News Release

The finalized Co-operation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment between Alberta and Canada was signed on April 2, less than a week after the public engagement period officially ended. The only difference between the final and draft Agreement is the addition of the following line in Section 7,

“For certainty, Canada will continue to consult with Indigenous Peoples on its decisions under the IAA, pursuant to its policies and practices.”

This change comes after 21 days of engagement where the public was invited to provide feedback on the draft version.

In that time, 63 comments from 54 individuals and 31 detailed submissions from members of the public, academics, NGOs, consultants, corporations, industry lobbies, Indigenous Nations, and the Government of the Northwest Territories were collected.

Feedback was overwhelmingly opposed to the draft Agreement, with over 70 percent of respondents expressing significant concerns.

Common critiques included the Agreement’s lack of specificity and clarity and its failure to recognize and uphold Treaty Rights. Many respondents expressed concern that the federal government is deferring its responsibilities and reducing oversight in the province. The most frequently raised issue in the feedback was a lack of trust in the Alberta government and its regulatory authorities to operate in the public’s best interest.

Around 15 percent of feedback was neutral, either stating that the Agreement’s potential was contingent on amendments and implementation or providing additional context and data to help inform the final version.

Of the 14 percent in support, only two individuals suggested no changes to the draft were necessary.

“It’s clear when reviewing the feedback that everyone who participated took a lot of care to provide thoughtful recommendations and critiques. And yet, none of that has been reflected in this final Agreement. What’s the point of undertaking public consultation when there’s no real intention to listen to what people are saying?”

– Kennedy Halvorson, Conservation Specialist

If this process is any indication of how the public will be considered as the federal and provincial governments learn to cooperate, folks should be concerned. Alberta Wilderness Association’s feedback on the draft Co-operation Agreement can be read in full here.

For more information, please contact:

Kennedy Halvorson, (403)-283-2025, cs1@abwild.ca