Friday March 27, 2026 | HALIFAX, NS
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Nova Scotia today to announce investment in major infrastructure projects in Nova Scotia and also addressed the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
Carney and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced the new Co-operation Agreement between Nova Scotia and Canada on Environmental and Impact Assessment.
The federal government will rely on the province to work through major projects that the federal government can then build on if necessary but otherwise quickly move forward.
The goal is to diversify exports, create career-level jobs, and to facilitate the energy sector.
More broadly it’s about infrastructure investments that will help build a strong and sustainable economy and bolster Canada’s sovereignty.
Houston’s remarks:
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston in his brief remarks to media today along Carney said that he notes the key investment in defence and consider’s Nova Scotia to be “Canada’a capital of defence” given a “long commitment to service in this province”.
Houston is “excited about the energy opportunities for Canada” particularly the Wind West provincially-led project and discussions with Quebec Hydro and an electricity MOU with Massachusetts.
Houston has had recent meetings with federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
He said he is excited about potential of inner offshore oil and gas, and onshore gas.
“The Cooperation Agreement is how we will move the economy of our country,” Houston outlined.
Agreement details:
It might sound like dry stuff, but the agreement shows how Carney’s boardroom experience is bringing efficiency to getting things done:
- Reliance on Nova Scotia’s Processes and Reciprocity
- Early Notification and Information Sharing
- Decision-making about conduct of a federal impact assessment
- Joint Review Panels
- Substitution to a Harmonized Process
- Co-ordination of Potential Conditions
- Co-ordination on Permitting
- Indigenous Peoples
- Information Sharing & Communications
- Participant Funding
- Application of this Agreement
- General Provisions
- Review
Speech to the Halifax Chamber:
Prime Minister Carney in his address to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that the federal defence investment over the next 10 year will be invested in Canada — critical minerals, essential infrastructure, cyberspace and outer space.
He highlighted that $200 million has been invested in the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation multi-user space port located in Canso, Nova Scotia.
Carney also highlighted how Canada’s ‘new housing industry’ will be based on factory-produced homes as a way to speed things up.
Canadian suppliers will be chosen by default, not best efforts, as Canada builds out infrastructure, said Carney.
In about 10 days, the federal government will release an electricity strategy, said Carney. That will include export within Canada, through more inter-ties.
Here is the news release about the federal/Nova Scotia cooperation agreement:
Canada and Nova Scotia sign a new agreement to get major projects built faster
March 27, 2026 | Prime Minister’s Office news release
The world is changing rapidly. In response, Canada’s new government is focused on what we can control: building a stronger, more sustainable, more independent Canadian economy – one that is more resilient to global shocks. To drive this mission, Canada’s new government is partnering with provinces and territories to build major infrastructure projects that diversify our exports, create thousands of high-paying careers, and unlock Canada’s full potential as a global energy superpower.
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and the Premier of Nova Scotia, Tim Houston, announced the new Co-operation Agreement between Nova Scotia and Canada on Environmental and Impact Assessment.
This agreement will bring a “one project, one review” approach to major infrastructure initiatives in Nova Scotia. Canada and Nova Scotia will implement a streamlined and flexible assessment process that minimises duplication and delivers major projects faster while reinforcing strong environmental protections and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples. This ensures both governments can adopt the most effective assessment process on a case-by-case basis – either by relying on Nova Scotia’s process or by implementing a coordinated federal-provincial approach.
The new Co-operation Agreement will enable the conditions necessary to get major infrastructure – including power generation and a strong and integrated transmission grid – built faster. Together, Canada and Nova Scotia are unlocking our full potential and positioning Canada and our Atlantic Coast as a leading destination for investment. This agreement builds on the strong track record of partnership between the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia, which is rooted in the shared priorities of strengthened security, stability, and prosperity. It is the fifth impact assessment agreement Canada has reached with a province, following agreements with Prince Edward Island, Ontario, New Brunswick, and British Columbia. Canada is working with other provinces, including Manitoba and Alberta, toward the same goal.
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NEWS SECTIONS: CANADA-NATIONAL | NATIONAL DEFENCE | ATLANTIC REGION | ENERGY SECTOR