The Oil Infrastructure Investment Program Amendment Regulations, 2025 under Saskatchewan Regulations 30/2025 make several significant changes to the existing regulatory framework as authorized by sections 24 and 71 of The Financial Administration Act, 1993. These amendments are intended to update, extend, and tighten the eligibility and operational requirements of the Oil Infrastructure Investment Program. The regulations are cited specifically as The Oil Infrastructure Investment Program Amendment Regulations, 2025. One of the key amendments occurs in Section 4, where a new eligibility restriction is introduced: applicants must not be government bodies or not-for-profit corporations. This change is intended to ensure that the program targets private sector investment, likely aiming to stimulate private industry participation rather than public sector or non-profit engagement. Section 5 extends the program’s operational timeline by changing the end date for application approvals from March 31, 2025, to March 31, 2029, offering a four-year extension for new project submissions.

Section 6 introduces a reference to a newly added section, section 6.1, which outlines the expiry conditions for project approvals. Section 6.1 sets clear accountability standards by requiring approved applicants who have not entered into agreements with the Minister within two years of approval to submit project updates. These updates must either confirm signed construction contracts or provide other satisfactory evidence of the applicant’s intent to proceed. Failure to submit these updates will result in the automatic expiry of the applicant’s prior approval. Applicants whose approvals expire will have the opportunity to reapply, subject to the original application conditions with appropriate modifications.

Further adjustments are made in Section 7, where the regulations are amended to require compliance not only with the regulations themselves but also with the agreement signed between the participant and the Minister, improving the enforceability of the program’s terms. Section 9 corrects language relating to financial calculations by replacing references to “total” amounts with more precise phrasing and extends the time horizon for certain financial matters from March 31, 2035, to March 31, 2040, allowing for longer financial engagement with the program.

A significant new addition, Section 16.1, sets the expiry of the entire amended regulations on March 31, 2041. This provision ensures that the program and its rules are time-bound, giving the government a defined period after which it must review, renew, or replace the regulations based on future policy needs and market conditions.

Overall, these amendments collectively aim to strengthen the Oil Infrastructure Investment Program by setting clearer eligibility criteria, enforcing project development timelines, improving legal precision, and extending the program’s duration to reflect ongoing infrastructure development priorities in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan (30/2025) April 26, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.