Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Mission
- The Agency is responsible for providing high-quality impact assessments and coordinating Crown Indigenous consultation related to the review of major projects under federal jurisdiction.
Budget and Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) for 2019-20 (See Annex A)
- For 2019-20, the Agency’s budget is $68.2M before EBP and has 446 funded FTEs, of which 382 are filled (as of August 19, 2019).
- In 2018-19, the Agency received $258 million over 5 years to implement the impact assessment system.
- The Agency has five regional offices: Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Quebec City, and Halifax. There is also a satellite office in St. John’s.
Key Federal Partners and External Stakeholders
- Federal Partners: Departments with environmental, social, health, and economic expertise; life-cycle regulators (Canada Energy Regulator, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Offshore Boards).
- External stakeholders: Proponents of major projects; provinces and other jurisdictions with mandates related to impact assessment; Indigenous peoples; industry associations; environmental groups and local communities.
Operating Context and Major Challenges and Pressures
- TheImpact Assessment Act (IAA) came into force on August 28, 2019, expanding the Agency’s mandate and responsibilities as the single Agency responsible for impact assessment and the Crown coordinator for Indigenous consultation of major projects. Under the IAA, the Agency is responsible for assessing the positive and negative environmental, economic, social, and health impacts of potential major projects.
- The IAA repealed and replaced Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012). It includes transitional provisions for projects that began under previous legislation.
- Under the IAA:
- Impact assessments are carried out on designated projects. These projects can either be designated by the Physical Activities Regulations or they can be designated by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change under s. 9.
- The Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations enable the new impact assessment system to function and enhance clarity, transparency and predictability in the process.
- During the Parliamentary review of the IAA, it received a high profile in the press. While supported by the mining industry and many Indigenous communities and environmental groups, it was not well supported by the oil and gas industry and certain provinces. There will be considerable scrutiny given to the implementation of the IAA, particularly with respect to how the Agency meets its legislated timelines.
- The Agency is in the early stages of implementing the IAA, which has involved: the development of regulations; new policy and guidance; the negotiation of agreements with other jurisdictions; memoranda of understanding with federal authorities; development of a new public registry; and the hiring of new FTEs.
- Currently, 73 projects are being reviewed pursuant to federal legislation.
- Of these 73 projects, 71 assessments are being conducted under CEAA 2012.
- Under the IAA, the Agency is reviewing two projects (planning phase).
- Over the next 90 days, the Agency expects to receive submissions for 12 new projects.
Annex A - Budget and FTEs
Operating (Voted) |
Capital (Voted) |
Transfers (Voted) |
Other (Voted) |
Statutory |
Total |
FTEs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$ 61,512,120 |
$ 0 |
$ 14,525,184 |
-$ 8,001,000 |
$ 6,138,709 |
$ 74,175,013 |
446 funded FTEs |
Transfers: $1.5M in Grants and $13.025M in Contributions |
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