Alberta eyes accelerated review system for major projects over $250 million

Alberta is proposing rule changes that would see Premier Danielle Smith’s government become more involved in kick-starting potential big-ticket industrial projects.

A bill introduced by Energy Minister Brian Jean would have some cabinet members be the first to set eyes on potential projects, with the goal of assisting private industry to improve their applications.

From there, a committee of civil servants would get involved for additional reviews before cabinet gives an order starting a 120-day clock for regulatory bodies to do assessments and issue permits.

Jean says the plan is for projects to come with at least $250 million in capital spending and to have completed some environmental checks and First Nations consultations.