Strategic Environmental Assessment

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is a tool that contributes to informed decisions in support of sustainable development by incorporating environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans and programs.

The Cabinet Directive

The Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals sets out the expectations of ministers and Cabinet on when a SEA should be conducted and what it should consider. It requires that the environmental analysis be fully integrated into the proposal development process. It specifies that ministers expect a SEA when the following two conditions are met:

• The proposal is submitted to an individual minister or Cabinet for approval.
• The implementation of the proposal may result in important environmental effects, either positive or negative.

The Guidelines

The Guidelines for the Implementation of the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals (the Guidelines) describe the overall process and guiding principles for SEA. They further include roles and responsibilities of major participants in the SEA process, public and parliamentary reporting requirements and consideration of the impacts of the proposal on the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Public Statements

When a detailed assessment of environmental effects has been conducted through a SEA, departments and agencies are required to issue a public statement on the environmental effects of the proposal.

Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance and Training

SEA is a self-assessment process whereby federal departments and agencies are responsible for implementing the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. To assist this effort, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has developed guidance material.

• Public Statements
• Third-party Evaluation of the Implementation of the Cabinet Directive
• Guidance on Public Statements for Federal Departments and Agencies