On April 30, 2024, the Government of Canada announced widely-anticipated amendments to the Impact Assessment Act IAA or Act as part of a 663 page omnibus budget bill. Canada announced the 2024 budget with the tagline Fairness for Every Generation, claiming that the amendments to the IAA are both constitutionally sound and allow for a more efficient assessment process.
On June 15, 2023, the Government of British Columbia announced BC Hydro was proceeding with a call for new sources of 100 percent clean, renewable emission-free electricity from large-scale projects, notably including wind and solar. As part of phase two of BC Hydro s engagement process, on January 8, 2024, BC Hydro issued a draft Request for Proposals RFP. Organizations within the independent power industry, First Nations and stakeholders were invited to provide feedback on the draft RFP, and the resulting draft specimen Electricity Purchase Agreement.
On March 28, 2024, British Columbia B.C. and the Council of the Haida Nation Haida Nation released the draft Gaayhllxid • Gíihlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement Draft Agreement which along with supporting legislation formally recognizes Haida Nation as the holder of Haida Title throughout Haida Gwaii. The Draft Agreement also confirms the transition over time of land- and resource-related governance powers from B.C. to Haida Nation as a result of the title recognition.
The Canadian government released its long-anticipated draft Clean Electricity Regulations Regulations on August 10, 2023,1 setting out its approach to mandating a net-zero emissions power grid by 2035. In this note, we offer our insight on this federal regulatory initiative that will have implications on the electricity industry across Canada and is certain to be controversial in some regions of Canada, setting the stage for jurisdictional challenges and regulatory uncertainty, all of which must be addressed in order to establish a strong basis on which to invest.
Discover how the electrification trend in British Columbia, driven by the growing adoption of electric vehicles and clean energy initiatives, prompts BC Hydro s first call for 100% clean, renewable electricity in 15 years. With electricity demand predicted to surge by 15% by 2030, BC Hydro seeks new sources of power from larger scale projects, accelerating energy efficiency measures and expanding renewable energy acquisitions. Learn about the competitive process, Indigenous participation opportunities, and the role of the electricity sector in Canada s net-zero energy system. Stay informed with Bennett Jones Energy and Regulatory team.