Canada: Energy Law

The Government of Canada has amended the Physical Activities Regulations, removing certain intraprovincial energy projects and facilities regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator from the federal Impact Assessment Act's Project List. This regulatory change eliminates automatic federal oversight for fossil fuel-fired power plants and specific oil sands facilities, while transferring assessment responsibilities for interprovincial pipelines and transmission lines to the Canada Energy Regulator, potentially re

On September 3, the Government of Canada published amendments removing seven types of energy projects from the Physical Activities Regulations (the Project List) under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). As a result, these types of projects will no longer be subject to the IAA but will continue to be regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator Act (CER Act) or applicable provincial environmental assessment regimes.

The Alberta Court of King's Bench has confirmed its jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief against the Alberta Energy Regulator despite a broadly worded statutory privative clause. This landmark decision, arising from Sumerian Oil & Gas's application to stay a suspension order affecting approximately 900 wells, represents one of the first considerations of the Supreme Court of Canada's recent Democracy Watch ruling and may significantly impact future disputes involving AER orders.

The Government of Québec has released its first Integrated Energy Resource Management Plan (PGIRE) for 2026-2050, establishing a comprehensive framework that positions energy transition as both an environmental imperative and an economic development opportunity.

Canada's M&A market has sustained momentum through the first half of 2026, despite a complex global environment characterized by trade tensions, inflationary pressures and evolving geopolitical considerations. This quarterly update examines the industries leading Canadian M&A activity, how policy tailwinds are propelling energy transactions, the effects of AI-driven demand on the M&A landscape, and Canadian real estate trends.

Osler's Legislative Update is a bi-weekly listing of new legislation. This issue covers legislation for the period 06/19 to 07/08.

In a case of first impression, a North Carolina court has dismissed a climate lawsuit brought by the town of Carrboro against a public utility company, finding that the matters raised in the claim were not justiciable or, in other words, inappropriate for determination by a court.

On April 28, 2026, the federal government released Canada’s Spring Economic Update 2026 (the “ Update ”), continuing the “Build Canada Strong” agenda first set out in Budget 2025.

Le Canada et l'Alberta ont conclu un accord de mise en œuvre qui modifie fondamentalement la tarification du carbone, établissant de nouveaux prix planchers, des contrats sur différence et des taux de resserrement ajustés. Comment ces changements transformeront-ils les marchés du carbone et les investissements dans les technologies propres au cours des quinze prochaines années?