New Brunswick signed a co‑operation pact with Ottawa to deliver one project, one review for major developments, aiming to cut duplication and give investors clearer timelines.
The move is the first formal deal of its kind and signals a shift in how large resource projects will be assessed in Atlantic Canada. Officials say the model will keep environmental standards while speeding decisions. The timing matters for miners chasing critical minerals.
NB deal sets template
Under the agreement, federal officials commit to rely on provincial assessments where appropriate and use joint panels to avoid parallel processes. The objective is to complete environmental and impact reviews within two years, a target Ottawa has set for major projects.
Premier Susan Holt called the arrangement a practical step to reduce overlap, saying, “We’re proud to work with the federal government,” according to a federal news release issued in Fredericton.
The pact also affirms consultation with Indigenous communities and improved data sharing across governments. The province’s existing expert review committee will anchor the streamlined process, with federal participation built in through a single window. The deal is designed to spur investment without lowering safeguards.
Nova Scotia tweaks, long timelines remain
Nova Scotia has also worked to simplify steps for proponents this year. The province introduced a phased approach to industrial approvals for metal mines on June 13, allowing some technical plans to be finalized after approval but before construction, while keeping conditions clear up front.
It then launched NovaMINE on October 14, a one‑stop online portal to track permits and applications and improve transparency for explorers and developers. Both changes are framed as cutting red tape while maintaining environmental checks.
The measures reflect the region’s bid to move stalled deposits toward development during a global push for new sources of lithium, graphite, nickel and copper. Details on the phased approvals and portal are posted on the Nova Scotia government site and in the NovaMINE launch notice.
Economists still warn that rules alone will not turn prospects into production. Mining projects typically take 15 to 20 years from first discovery to commercial output, even in jurisdictions seen as supportive. Infrastructure and power access also weigh on timelines.
“The region has tremendous potential,” said Patrick Brannon of the Atlantic Economic Council. He added that regulatory certainty helps, but capital and logistics must line up before shovels hit the ground.
The policy shift lands as materials and energy remain core weights on the TSX and TSX Venture. Juniors raise funds against clear milestones, so faster, predictable permitting can affect when projects access markets. Senior producers watch the same signals when allocating exploration budgets. If coordination between Fredericton and Ottawa reduces review risk, more Atlantic projects could reach key financing gates sooner. That cadence matters for service firms and suppliers across the region.
Ottawa says New Brunswick is the first province to formalize the one project, one review model, with more agreements expected as negotiations continue. New Brunswick’s approach will still require rigorous study and full Indigenous engagement, but proponents should face a single timetable and clear accountability.
That clarity can help boards weigh Atlantic options against competing jurisdictions. It will also test whether Canada can speed up approvals while keeping a steady hand on environmental outcomes. For now, Atlantic Canada is pressing its advantage.
