2026-27 Regulatory and Permitting Efficiency for Clean Growth Projects
Table of contents
The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory and Permitting Efficiency for Clean Growth Projects focuses on the federal efforts needed to accelerate regulatory efficiency for clean growth projects. It is intended to help get clean growth projects built faster by accelerating decision-making related to these projects.
Section 1. Overview of CIRNAC's Role in Supporting Regulatory and Permitting Efficiency
CIRNAC continues to advance the objectives of the Cabinet Directive on Regulatory and Permitting Efficiency for Clean Growth Projects (the Cabinet Directive) through its consultation coordination and northern regulatory roles. CIRNAC advances support for a whole-of-government approach to consultation, accommodation, and engagement with Indigenous Peoples through training; the use of the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System; developing consultation protocols; providing subject-matter expertise during environmental assessments; developing policy guidance; helping partner departments fulfill the legal duty to consult; and informing them of Canada's relationship with Indigenous groups.
CIRNAC is also responsible for federal northern resource management legislation (including modern treaty-based northern impact assessment legislation), certain decision-making related to resource management and project authorizations, and supporting Indigenous Peoples and Northerners to prepare for and participate in impact assessment and regulatory processes.
Building upon 2024–25 results, in 2026–27, CIRNAC will continue to advance initiatives to reduce regulatory red tape in a manner that respects and reflects modern treaties (see CIRNAC's September 2025 Red Tape Review Progress Report) and will deliver community capacity, systems readiness, and participant funding through the Northern Regulatory Initiative and the Northern Participant Funding Program (including funding received under Budget 2025 to accelerate regulatory processes for priority projects). This work will help to ensure that regulatory processes are fit-for-purpose and that the necessary information and participation supports are in place for efficient project reviews, facilitating the objectives of both the Cabinet Directive and the recently established Major Projects Office.
Section 2. Results for Thematic Areas of the Cabinet Directive
Theme 1: Strengthening service standards
Planned results
In 2026–27, CIRNAC will continue to maintain and support high service standards across northern regulatory regimes by:
- Performing decision-making and administrative functions under northern resource management legislation in a timely manner;
- Supporting co-management boards to create efficiencies in impact assessment, water licensing, and land use permitting processes, where appropriate;
- Conducting check-ins and status reporting across regional offices; and
- Providing regular updates to the Clean Growth Office and Major Projects Office on the status of northern clean growth projects and actions taken to advance regulatory efficiencies.
Theme 2: Providing timely guidance to proponents
Planned results
In 2026–27, CIRNAC will continue to work with boards, territorial and Indigenous governments, and industry representatives to support operational and legislative initiatives that reduce burdens on proponents while upholding modern treaty-based regulatory regimes. This will include actions to support:
- Indigenous-led studies and board-led data management initiatives to help inform project applications and regulatory processes;
- Targeted reviews and updates to regulations, rules, guidelines, and/or templates to help ensure processes are clear and fit-for-purpose; and
- Collaborative approaches to reviews of northern resource management legislation.
In performing their functions under northern resource management legislation, the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs can be required to consider the importance of aspects such as the conservation of lands, waters, and wildlife. These legislated requirements help ensure that project risks relative to Canada's climate action and biodiversity objectives are considered in ministerial decision-making.
Theme 3: Coordinating consultation with Indigenous Peoples
Planned results
In 2026–27, CIRNAC will continue to work closely with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) to coordinate Crown consultation on major projects north of 60. CIRNAC relies on resource co-management board processes as the primary means to fulfill its duty to consult with Indigenous Peoples and, if appropriate, accommodate potentially adverse impacts to Aboriginal and/or treaty rights.
CIRNAC will also continue to support community readiness for, and participation in, pre-assessment, assessment, regulatory, and post-regulatory processes. This funding creates efficiencies by helping ensure that Indigenous participation in impact assessment and regulatory processes is effective and meaningful, in accordance with modern treaties and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.