Ottawa Will Amend Impact Assessment Act After Supreme Court Ruled It Unconstitutional: Environment Minister

The minister says the government will be seeking ’the shortest path forward' to bring the act into compliance with the Constitution.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 16, 2023. The Canadian Press/Patrick Doyle

Ottawa will modify its Impact Assessment Act after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that several sections of the law are unconstitutional, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says.

“We intend to make it clear in an amended act that the prevention of adverse environmental effects within federal jurisdiction is the government’s ... policy intent, that this has always been our mission,” Mr. Guilbeault said during a press conference on Oct. 26.