Energy Law and Electricity Regulation

The federal government has launched public engagement on Canada's first National Water Security Strategy, seeking input on how to address freshwater challenges, protect ecosystems, and support water-dependent industries. Led by the Canada Water Agency, this initiative aims to establish a national roadmap for coordinating water management across jurisdictions while building upon existing provincial frameworks. Stakeholders have until October 25, 2026, to provide feedback on priorities, definitions, and imple

On September 21, 2026, the federal government introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. It is the latest and most comprehensive instalment in a series of federal reforms that began in 2025 with the Building Canada Act and the creation of the Major Projects Office.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (“MECP”), Ontario’s administrator of the Conservation Authorities Act (the “CA Act”), and the Ministry of Natural Resources...

Canada's energy sector is undergoing a transformative period with substantial investment flowing into traditional oil and gas infrastructure, electricity generation, LNG facilities, critical minerals, and clean energy projects. As geopolitical uncertainty reshapes global energy markets, understanding Canada's unique regulatory framework—spanning federal and provincial oversight, Indigenous participation requirements, and evolving environmental permitting processes—has become essential for invest

The Canadian government has designated the Pacific Link Pipeline as a project of national interest and introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which proposes sweeping reforms to federal environmental assessment and project approval processes. These changes aim to streamline permitting timelines, reduce regulatory duplication, and coordinate Crown consultations while maintaining environmental protections and Indigenous rights.

In Canacol Energy Ltd. (Re) (“Canacol”), the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta (the “Court”) considered the proper scope of an order approving a monitor’s report and activities where the report addressed allegations that remained disputed and could be advanced in related Colombian proceedings.[1] The Court confirmed that interim approvals serve important purposes in insolvency proceedings, but cautioned that approval should not inadvertently determine—or appear to determine—issues that have not been adjudicated.

Canada's energy sector is undergoing a transformative period with substantial investment flowing into traditional oil and gas infrastructure, electricity generation, LNG facilities, critical minerals, and clean energy projects. As geopolitical uncertainty reshapes global energy markets, understanding Canada's unique regulatory framework—spanning federal and provincial oversight, Indigenous participation requirements, and evolving environmental permitting processes—has become essential for invest

Growing activity in Canada's energy and infrastructure sectors is driving demand for legal work, with law firms expanding their capabilities through strategic hiring and talent development. Torys' Calgary and Vancouver offices are responding to increased momentum across oil and gas, LNG, nuclear, critical minerals, and data centres by assessing client needs and building capacity in energy infrastructure.

September 2026 has seen significant announcements in the renewable energy space across the country. Alberta is set to introduce a new solar panel recycling program that has drawn industry criticism

Canada has published two mandatory notices under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act requiring manufacturers, importers, and users to report information on 200 priority substances for chemical management purposes. Companies must determine if they meet reporting thresholds and gather supply chain data, with Phase 1 responses due March 2027 and Phase 2 responses due September 2027. Will your organization's chemical activities trigger reporting obligations under these new requirements?

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued mandatory Section 71 notices under CEPA requiring Canadian businesses to report 2025 calendar year activity data for 200 chemical substances across two deadlines in 2027. The notices cast a wide net beyond bulk chemical producers to manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers handling components, mixtures or finished goods containing targeted substances, with penalties of up to $500,000 for non-compliance.

Le 29 août 2026, Environnement et Changement climatique Canada a publié deux avis obligeant certaines entreprises ayant fabriqué, importé ou utilisé 200 substances spécifiques en 2025 à déclarer des renseignements détaillés. Ces exigences de déclaration s'appliquent largement aux importateurs, fabricants et utilisateurs de produits contenant ces substances, avec des seuils quantitatifs et des échéances strictes à respecter.