New rules will speed up N.L. drilling approvals

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — The Canadian government is moving ahead with new rules it says will speed up approvals for exploratory oil and gas drilling off the east coast of Newfoundland, but conservation groups say the changes undermine environmental protections.

Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan said Thursday the move will improve the efficiency of assessments while upholding the “highest standards” of environmental protection. “Our government recognizes that Newfoundland and Labrador’s ability to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic will depend largely on a strong, resilient and innovative offshore,” O’Regan said.

Three environmental groups have launched a federal court challenge, arguing exploratory drilling off Newfoundland will now be green-lit without proper environmental assessments.

The Ecology Action Centre, Sierra Club Canada Foundation and World Wildlife Fund Canada argued this month that the science behind the new “regional assessment,” or RA, process is flawed. The court decided the case can proceed to a judicial review, but denied the group’s request for an injunction.

“The federal government stated that it intended to use the flawed RA and a loophole in the legislation to allow for a broad exemption of all future offshore exploratory drilling in the region,” the groups said Thursday. “This would set a poor and dangerous precedent for regional assessments, which could otherwise be a promising new mechanism under the Impact Assessment Act.”

O’Regan said the new regulation will help the oil and gas industry remain competitive because it will provide investors with “more predictability and certainty.”