Health Canada’s Role in Impact Assessments: Infographic

This infographic, developed by Health Canada, addresses questions posed by Indigenous community members on the Department’s role in the assessment of major resource and infrastructure projects proposed under the Impact Assessment Act. Health Canada contracted an Indigenous consultant who engaged organizations representing over 50 First Nation and Métis Nation communities across Canada. This enabled the development of a plain language product for Indigenous persons interested in the Department’s impact assessment role, reflecting the diversity of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives shared during the engagement sessions.

Health Canada's Role in Impact Assessments^{Footnote *}

Health Canada is trying to understand

From the developer

• Air quality
• Noise pollution
• Drinking water
• Traditional foods and food sources
• Other aspects related to the ability to make healthy choices

Did the developer ask for, listen to, and plan around the community's input?

• Monitoring for changes to the community's health
• Plans to keep the community safe during construction and operation
• Plans to mitigate change

From the keepers of the land

• Changes to land use and access
• Changes to community relationships
• Changes to traditional activities

Are there changes or issues that have been missed?

• Hunting and harvesting areas
• Ecological changes
• Swimming/water use
• Cultural activities

What we consider

Impact studies are done by developers seeking to complete projects, not by Health Canada or the federal government. Generally, federal departments use the Impact Study to complete an Impact Assessment and make recommendations to the developer around safeguarding community wellbeing.

Traditional knowledge has an integral role in information sharing and community recommendations

• Long term effects
• Cultural and historical contexts
• Environmental considerations
• Sustainability
• Reclaiming traditional areas and activities

Things to remember

• There will be many visitors to the community asking questions.
• Health Canada is one of many departments involved in Impact Assessments. Other departments look at social and economic changes to the community among other areas – Health Canada focuses on changes to a community's health.
• Specific comment periods will be scheduled for the community to actively provide input and feedback on the project.