Calgary Chamber encouraged by Supreme Court ruling on Impact Assessment Act

The following statement is attributable to Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce:

October 13, 2023 – “On behalf of Calgary’s business community, the Calgary Chamber is pleased to see the ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada, finding the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) largely unconstitutional. Today’s decision is a positive step toward eliminating barriers for the development of major infrastructure projects across the country that are critical to our nation’s economic future. It is welcome relief for many businesses across the city and province, as the IAA has created undue uncertainty for many projects across energy and mining, critical minerals, forestry, construction and transportation sectors.

“Ensuring that the regulatory pathway for all major project assessments is clear and timely is critical for current and future investments. Today’s decision is a welcome announcement for investors looking to Canada as a destination to deploy capital.

“As government navigates the path forward, we encourage strong collaboration with businesses, provinces, territories and Indigenous communities to provide the clarity necessary to keep projects on track. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of regulatory efficiency to our economy and encourage the federal government to expediently accept the Supreme Court’s findings, immediately implementing the amendments necessary to support investor and business certainty.”

ABOUT THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Calgary Chamber exists to help businesses reach their potential. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.

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