Nova Scotia, Ottawa agree to streamline approval process for environmental projects
Posted Mar 27, 2026 12:25:15 PM.
Last Updated Mar 30, 2026 10:59:53 AM.
The Nova Scotia Government and Ottawa have agreed to streamline the approval process for major infrastructure and resource projects.
On Friday, Premier Tim Houston and Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a co-operation agreement that they’re calling the “one project, one review model.”
The province said it is now in effect and applies to projects that need approvals from both levels of government, including energy transmission lines that cross interprovincial boundaries, airports, marine terminals and ports, pipelines and some mining projects.
“Today’s agreement between Canada and Nova Scotia enables our governments to build big and build fast, together,” said Carney. “By cutting red tape and streamlining approvals, we will build major infrastructure projects that power our industries, create thousands of high-paying Canadian jobs, and unlock our full potential as a global clean energy superpower.”
The province said the new, single-review process is aimed at removing duplication, shortening review times and increasing regulatory clarity.
The government said decisions on whether to use this model will be made on a project-by-project basis.
Projects in the works
Hydro-Québec said it has issued a formal request for information from energy developers to help it determine timelines and costs for building transmission lines and other technologies to potentially connect to Nova Scotia’s offshore wind sector.
Houston has proposed a $60-billion project called Wind West, which he has said could generate up to five Gigawatts of electricity by 2033 in its first phase, and more than 40 Gigawatts by 2050 if additional phases are completed. A formal call for companies interested in building the project is expected in the coming months.
Hydro-Québec’s request does not commit it to making any investments at this point.
The utility released a statement indicating that it could use Nova Scotia’s offshore energy to help balance other power grids. Hydro-Québec has 16 interconnections with neighbouring jurisdictions and says this allows it to occupy a strategic position at the heart of the region’s major energy corridors.
Nova Scotia also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Massachusetts as it continues its work toward creating offshore wind energy.
Houston and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the agreement today at a news conference in Boston. The government says that the agreement will work toward Nova Scotia supplying the state with offshore wind energy.
The agreement outlines a number of areas of collaboration between the two jurisdictions, including market coordination, grid integration and supply chain development.
