Mandate of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
On June 20, 2024, the Budget Implementation Act, 2024, received Royal Assent and brought into force amendments to the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). These changes were made in response to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision on the constitutionality of the IAA. Over the coming weeks and months, this website along with procedures, policy and guidance documents will be updated to reflect these legislative changes, as required.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is a federal body accountable to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
On this page
Transcript: Discover the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Canada is rich in natural resources. Developed responsibly, these resources create good jobs and support strong communities and our high quality of life.
Major projects worth billions of dollars are planned across the country.
Hydro electric dams, pipelines, offshore oil and gas wells, marine shipping terminals, roads and mines—projects like these help keep Canada prosperous.
But without impact assessments, development can have serious negative effects on the environment and the way of life in nearby communities.
Before a major project begins, the Government of Canada consults with companies, experts, other governments, indigenous groups and local communities. The goal is to maximize the project's positive impacts and minimize any negative ones. The process is led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
Our job is to consider what people have to say about how major projects may be developed.
Not only do we lead on the assessment of environmental impacts…
But also economic impacts … socio-cultural impacts …
and health impacts.
We also ensure that when the federal government approves a project, the company complies with any of the conditions of approval.
Our work is guided by five principles:
Fostering reconciliation and partnership with Indigenous peoples.
Cooperating closely with other jurisdictions to achieve "one-project, one-assessment."
Basing decisions on scientific evidence and Indigenous knowledge.
Providing predictability, transparency and timeliness for proponents and investors.
And engaging meaningfully with the public—ensuring that everyone has their say.
To learn more about the Agency, or to comment on major projects undergoing an impact assessment …
please visit our website at canada.ca/iaac
and follow us on social media.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
Have your say.
Who we are and what we do
The Impact Assessment Act (IAA) is part of a larger regulatory landscape in Canada that includes shared responsibilities with the provinces and territories. The IAA is designed to ensure the most complex projects in Canada, the ones with the most potential for serious adverse effects in federal jurisdiction, are assessed and designed in a way that protects the environment and Indigenous Rights.
Our role is to facilitate the sustainable development of these projects through open and efficient assessments. These assessments identify ways to ensure the environment and Indigenous Rights are protected as projects get built. To support needed investment in major projects, we work closely with other jurisdictions to achieve the goal of "one project, one assessment."
Our work includes:
- Leading and managing the impact assessment process for all federally designated major projects.
- Leading Crown engagement and serve as the single point of contact for consultation and engagement with Indigenous peoples during impact assessments for designated projects.
- Providing opportunities and funding to support public participation in impact assessments.
- Working to ensure that mitigation measures are applied and are working as intended.
- Promoting uniformity and coordination of impact assessment practices across Canada through research, guidance and ongoing discussion with stakeholders and partners.
- Working with a range of international jurisdictions and organizations to exchange best practices in impact assessment.
To ensure the timely, efficient and effective delivery of federal assessments, we will:
- Work closely with all provinces and will consider their processes equivalent.
- Institute new tools to standardize process elements and integrate and coordinate permitting requirements into assessments.
- Continue to conduct regional and strategic assessments to understand the impacts of development and to develop mitigation measures in advance. This will enable future project assessments to be focussed on what's unique.
- Provide clear guidance to proponents on key issues in areas of federal interest to focus assessments on what matters while also providing rationale for which Indigenous communities are to be engaged in the process.
- Work with provinces to align approaches to Indigenous consultation while reconciling differences that may exist.
Come see our impact on Canada.
How we work
Through our seven offices, we lead all federal reviews of major resources projects.
We work with other bodies like the Canada Energy Regulator (formerly the National Energy Board), the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Offshore Boards and other federal departments and agencies.
We also work in cooperation with provinces and territories, Indigenous jurisdictions, environmental organizations and industry.
Learn more about our partners.
When we began
In 1994, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency was established to prepare for the implementation of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 1992 (CEAA 1992), which came into effect in early 1995.
In 2019, the Impact Assessment Act was enacted which created the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and repealed the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.
Learn more about milestones in the history of assessments.
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