The courts struck down Ottawa's Bill C-69 as an unconstitutional intrusion into Alberta's resource jurisdiction.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Summary
This is largely accurate. In 2023 the Supreme Court of Canada found the core of the federal Impact Assessment Act, known as Bill C-69, unconstitutional: the 'designated projects' scheme that captured things like oil sands and mines was ruled beyond Parliament's authority and an overreach into provincial jurisdiction. The Court upheld only a narrow part dealing with projects on federal lands. The ruling confirmed that primary jurisdiction over non-renewable resource development rests with the provinces, which is the substance of the claim.
Evidence
In Reference re Impact Assessment Act, the Supreme Court held the Act's 'designated projects' scheme is ultra vires Parliament and unconstitutional, while upholding only sections 81-91 dealing with federal lands.
Supreme Court of Canada, Reference re Impact Assessment Act (2023) (opens in a new tab)
Coverage of the 5-2 ruling notes the Court found Parliament 'plainly overstepped its constitutional competence' and affirmed provincial primacy over resource development.
CBC News (Impact Assessment Act ruling) (opens in a new tab)