Government acts on task force recommendations to modernize sand and gravel regulation
Alberta’s government is acting on recommendations to streamline the regulation of private land sand and gravel operations, aiming to boost jobs, support economic growth and maintain environmental safeguards.
The government is responding to 15 recommendations from the Sand and Gravel Task Force, launched in May 2025 to review existing policies and processes. The task force looked at ways to shorten application timelines and reduce regulatory barriers while ensuring environmental standards are met.
“Sand and gravel help build the roads we drive on, the homes we live in and the infrastructure that supports our province,” said Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz. “These recommendations will help get rid of unnecessary government bureaucracy, create more opportunities in the sand and gravel sector and protect our strong environmental safeguards.”
Alberta has more than 1,000 active sand and gravel pit registrations on private land. For years, landowners and operators have raised concerns about slow regulatory processes, inconsistent timelines and confusing approval conditions.
“The sand and gravel sector creates important jobs and revenue for many rural communities and landowners,” said Glenn van Dijken, task force co-chair and MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock. “I’m proud of the collaborative work that went into this report and look forward to seeing these recommendations put into action.”
Brandon Lunty, task force co-chair and MLA for Leduc-Beaumont, added: “These recommendations will lead to faster project approvals and a stronger sand and gravel sector while maintaining our province’s high environmental standards.”
Three recommendations have already been implemented. Alberta has set formal service standards for application review timelines under both the Water Act and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Applications are now processed concurrently across regulators, and staff are working closely with operators to share best practices.
Seven more recommendations will be completed within six months. These include clarifying the roles of regulatory partners, improving communication with operators, and introducing designated liaisons to support applicants throughout the process.
The final five recommendations will be completed within the next year. They include expanding digitization of applications, allowing real-time tracking, creating a one-stop shop for industry resources, and developing templates to help operators submit high-quality applications more efficiently.
Keith Arsenault, CEO of Peaskie Minerals Inc., said the changes are already having an impact. “These efficiencies have allowed us to expand operations and hire more people in the communities in which we operate,” he said.
Christene Feist, area general manager – aggregates for Heidelberg Materials, added: “These changes will help deliver essential building materials more efficiently, boost investment confidence, and enable timely infrastructure development and housing projects while maintaining Alberta’s strong environmental standards.”
Quick facts:
In 2021, the sand and gravel sector directly or indirectly employed 3,159 people and produced 35.6 million tonnes of aggregate valued at $556 million.
That year, 37 municipalities reported collecting $11.44 million in levies from the sector, which was reinvested in scholarships, infrastructure and other community projects.
Between 2006 and 2021, municipalities collected $137 million in levies from Alberta’s sand and gravel sector.