Frequently asked questions - Regulations

The frequently asked questions below are meant to provide Canadians and businesses with basic information about the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s (the Agency’s) regulations.

Physical Activities Regulations

  • What is the purpose of these regulations?

    The Physical Activities Regulations identify the types of activities that are considered "designated projects" subject to the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). Once it is determined that the project is a designated project, the proponent must submit a project description to inform a determination of whether an impact assessment is required.

  • What are the key elements of these regulations?

    The key element of the Physical Activities Regulations is the schedule which lists the physical activities that are considered designated projects under IAA.

    Each physical activity listed in the schedule includes a description and in most cases a corresponding threshold (often production capacity), which serves as a representation of scale or size (for example, a metal mine with an ore production capacity of 4,000 tonnes/day or more, or a hydroelectric generation facility with a production capacity of 200 megawatts or more).

  • How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?

    The Physical Activities Regulations provide proponents of proposed projects with clear information to help them assess if their project is a designated project that is subject to IAA.

  • What is the timeline for implementation?

    These regulations came into effect in August 2019, with the coming into force of the Impact Assessment Act.

  • Where can I get more information?

    Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
    22nd Floor, Place Bell
    160 Elgin Street
    Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
    Tel.: 613-957-0700
    Toll free number: 1-866-582-1884
    Email: ceaa.information.acee@canada.ca

Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations

  • What is the purpose of these regulations?

    The Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations enable key aspects of the Impact Assessment Act to function, and enhance clarity, transparency and predictability in the process.

    The Impact Assessment Act provides the Agency with powers to suspend time limits set out in the legislation, only in accordance with criteria that are prescribed by regulations. The Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations enable the use of these powers for proponent-driven reasons, supporting certainty and accountability in the management of timelines.

    Proponents of "designated projects" must submit a description of their project to the Agency. The Agency then uses this information, along with comments received from the public, to determine if a federal impact assessment is required and if so, to inform assessment planning. The Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations include a schedule that sets out the information that must be included in the project description.

  • What are the key elements of these regulations?

    The key elements of the Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations are:

    • criteria under which legislated time limits can be suspended;
    • a schedule setting out information that proponents are required to provide in their description of the project, at the outset of the planning phase;
    • a list of guidelines and plans that the Agency must deliver to proponents at the end of the planning phase;
    • format requirements to support accessibility of information provided by proponents;
    • a requirement for the Agency to make participant funding programs available for all designated projects; and,
    • a time limit of 90 days for the Minister to respond to a request that a regional or strategic assessment be conducted under the Impact Assessment Act.
  • How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?

    The Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations set out criteria that would limit the Agency’s powers to suspend time limits in the impact assessment process, enhancing timeline certainty for proponents.

    The Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations identify the information that project proponents must provide in a project description submitted to the Agency, as well as format requirements for information provided by proponents during the assessment process.

  • What is the timeline for implementation?

    These regulations came into effect in August 2019, with the coming into force of the Impact Assessment Act.

  • Where can I get more information?

    Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
    22nd Floor, Place Bell
    160 Elgin Street
    Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
    Tel.: 613-957-0700
    Toll free number: 1-866-582-1884
    Email: ceaa.information.acee@canada.ca

Cost Recovery Regulations

  • What is the purpose of these regulations?

    The Impact Assessment Act (IAA) enables the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) to recover from project proponents certain costs incurred during the course of an impact assessment. The Cost Recovery Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (which will apply under the IAA until such time as new Cost Recovery Regulations come into force) include a schedule that sets out the services and amounts for which the Agency can recover costs.

    The regulations limit cost recovery to impact assessments by review panel.

  • What are the key elements of these regulations?

    A key element of the Cost Recovery Regulations is the schedule that details the two types of costs that can be recovered by the Agency from project proponents: costs that the Agency incurs for services provided by a third party and amounts related to the carrying out of the Agency's responsibilities or to those of the members of a review panel.

    The regulations also identify the types of proponents that are not subject to cost recovery.

  • How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?

    Proponents who propose projects that are subject to an impact assessment by a review panel will be required to pay for certain costs associated with conducting that assessment.

  • What is the timeline for implementation?

    These regulations came into effect in July 2012, with the coming into force of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and will remain in force until such time as new Cost Recovery Regulations come into force under the IAA.

  • Where can I get more information?

    Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
    22nd Floor, Place Bell
    160 Elgin Street
    Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
    Tel.: 613-957-0700
    Toll free number: 1-866-582-1884
    Email: ceaa.information.acee@canada.ca

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