The Alberta government has tabled a bill which will establish a 120-day approval time frame to accelerate major project development and reduce delays.

The legislation sets clear criteria, application requirements, approval processes and timelines for proponents, regulators and government. To qualify, projects must align with provincial priorities, be of strategic economic importance and involve a minimum capital investment of $250 million.

Bill 30, the Expedited 120-Day Approvals Act, is a way to meet Alberta’s goal of doubling oil and gas production by 2035 and stay competitive in the market, according to the province.

“The world needs Alberta oil and gas now more than ever. Taking action to accelerate the approval process is critical for Alberta to unleash its energy potential and ensure a sustainable sector for decades to come,” said Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean.

A review and support process would be established through a newly created project coordination review team within Executive Council to assess major project applications and make recommendations to a committee of deputy ministers. When a qualified project is approved by the committee, cabinet will designate qualifying projects through an order-in-council. The issuance of the order-in-council would trigger a 120-day approval clock for the regulators, with the same timeline requirement applying for all subsequent required permits upon receipt by the regulator.

In April 2026, the governments of Canada and Alberta signed the Co-operation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment to reduce duplication with federal and provincial assessments that add time, cost and uncertainty to major projects.