From Cumulative Effects to One-off Authorizations: BC Shifts its Approach to Project Approvals – Cassels
On May 29, 2025, two British Columbia acts intended to fast-track project approvals received royal assent. The Infrastructure Projects Act, passed under Bill 15, creates a streamlined regulatory approval process for provincially designated infrastructure projects. The Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act, passed under Bill 14, expedites certain categories of renewable energy projects. These Acts may lead to more efficient regulatory approvals for certain infrastructure and renewable energy projects. However, their ultimate efficacy is unknown because the project designation process, and associated Indigenous consultation required, will be prescribed in yet-to-be developed regulations.
These Acts are part of a trend where federal and provincial governments are seeking to expedite approvals by exempting specific projects from full regulatory assessment. Bill C-5 has been tabled by the federal government of Canada with the stated intention of accelerating the approval of projects in the ‘national interest.’ Also, Bill 5, was passed in Ontario and provides for the creation of ‘Special Economic Zones’ with reduced regulatory approval requirements.
