Canada’s impact assessment system

Assessments that work. Timely. Efficient. For what matters.

What is the impact assessment process?

Why was it created? Why do we need assessments? How does it work? Get answers to these burning questions and more!

Why this toolkit?

Discover Canada's improved federal impact assessment system and its benefits. Learn what's changed for the better and why.

What do I need to know?

Project proponents, investors and industry leaders

Environmental and community organizations

Anyone interested in Canada's sustainability

Government and elected officials

How Canada does impact assessments differently | Video gallery

Canada is open to development that is smart and sustainable, and we're ready to assess those projects

Transcript: How Canada's impact assessment system benefits everyone

Hi, I'm Terry Hubbard, President of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

Here at the Agency, we work hand in hand with industry leaders, environmental experts, Indigenous communities and the Canadian public to better understand and mitigate the impacts of major projects on people, places and our environment. We're talking about major projects like hydroelectric dams, marine terminals, and large-scale mines.

Canada needs these types of projects to create good jobs, but we also need to build them right. Helping to do that is why we're here.

We're also committed to completing federal impact assessments in a timelier manner. That means achieving the target. We will achieve this not by cutting corners, but by finding efficiencies like pursuing cooperation agreements with provinces to ensure our project is assessed thoroughly and robustly, but only once.

This site is designed to set the record straight on how federal impact assessments work and how they benefit you. As we move forward with more timely, efficient assessments, we remain committed to delivering what matters to Canadians, getting good projects built, protecting the environment, and ensuring the rights of Indigenous peoples are respected and upheld. I invite you to explore the site and discover for yourself how Canada's impact assessment system benefits everyone.

Transcript: How do Canada's federal impact assessments ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability?

Today, let's set the record straight about Canada's impact assessment process for major projects.

No secrets here: impact assessments are open and transparent. Public participation is key to their success with all studies and documents accessible online.

Got a project in mind? Federal assessments are limited to projects with the greatest potential for adverse effects in federal jurisdiction. Projects like large mines, dams and ports. And we review these types of projects periodically, by consulting with the public.

In business, time is money, so we always undertake assessments with this important fact in mind. You don't need to worry about the unexpected. The federal impact assessment process is clear and predictable; so, the process stays on track and on time.

We don't do it alone! The federal impact assessment process makes it easier for provincial, federal and Indigenous governments to assess projects together. Which is simply a better way for everyone!

There's a pretty good reason why assessments are important: well-planned projects not only safeguard people, the environment, and Indigenous rights, but also lead to more successful and sustainable outcomes for generations to come.

It just makes sense to complete an assessment before a project starts.

Canada's Federal impact assessment system. Timely. Efficient. For what matters. For more information on the Impact Assessment Act, visit: canada.ca/IAAC

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Transcript: Five good things about federal impact assessments

Canada’s amended Impact Assessment Act

#1 Impact assessments are transparent.

Participation leads to better outcomes

We post all documents related to assessments on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.
Each project page on the Registry contains all the information you need including plans, reports and timelines.
There are different ways to participate at every step: join an information session, receive notifications, comment online or write to us.
For certain groups, we provide funding to participate.
Finally, when the Government makes a decision about a project, by law it has to give its reasons.

#2 Impact assessments have strict time limits.

New two-year target for assessments

Set timelines are designed to keep the assessment process predictable – and on track.
Each step has a set number of days for completion.
Equally important, by law we can’t pause an assessment once it’s started – only the project proponent can.
This means there are no unexpected stops and starts caused by us that could delay a final decision.
Cooperation agreements with other jurisdictions can also avoid any unnecessary duplication.

#3 Impact assessments apply only to some specific projects.

Potential impacts drive need

We consulted industry and others to determine the critical projects to assess.
We landed on the ones with the greatest potential for adverse effects in areas of federal jurisdiction like dams, mines and marine terminals.
We are also re-examining these types of projects with the benefit of experience.
True, the Minister can designate other projects to be considered for an impact assessment, but instances are rare and the conditions are limited.

#4 Impact assessments provide predictability for industry.

Tailored requirements benefits investors

Our process benefits investment by increasing regulatory certainty and clarity.
It does this by establishing clear expectations and time limits up front with project proponents.
Another way is by "tailoring" the requirements of each assessment to the nature and complexity of the project.
Tailoring helps focus the assessment on the issues that matter to people the most.
Our process also encourages collaboration among jurisdictions to reduce duplication and to support the principle of "one project, one assessment."

#5 Assessments will support Canada’s clean growth.

Efficiency by focusing on what matters

The climate and biodiversity crises are at the forefront of Canada’s efforts to drive clean growth.
An efficient and robust regulatory system is key to helping us get there – safely and responsibly.
While most clean growth projects may not be subject to an assessment, those that are can count on a predictable, efficient and robust process that Canadians and Indigenous Peoples expect.
We are also helping to coordinate permits for major clean growth projects.

Five good things

Impact assessments are transparent.
Impact assessments have strict time limits.
Impact assessments only apply to certain projects.
Impact assessments are predictable.
Impact assessments support clean growth.

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Date modified:: 2025-08-14