Project proponents, investors and industry leaders

What are the benefits of impact assessments?

Canada is committed to growing a clean, low-carbon economy, but Canadians expect the projects that will help us get there to be developed in a sustainable manner. For project proponents, investors and industry leaders, the federal impact assessment process is a comprehensive planning tool designed to help them successfully develop projects while protecting what is important to Canadians. This predictable, systematic process helps build social licence by identifying issues early on, support better project design and build more meaningful relationships between proponents and Indigenous Peoples and the public.

The Impact Assessment Act and Regulations establish an efficient, timely process that focuses assessments on projects with the greatest potential of negative impacts on areas for which the federal government is responsible, such as fish and fish habitat. In addition, we will complete federal impact assessments and related permitting processes for federally designated projects in two years.

Beyond more stringent timelines, today’s federal impact assessment process has strong advantages for proponents.

Let’s get specific

No bureaucratic delays

There is no "stopping the clock" with today’s impact assessment process. Only a proponent can do this if it needs to. That is the law. This means there will be no unnecessary stops and starts caused by the government that could delay the assessment of your project. The decision-maker only gets one shot at extending timelines for final decision.

Strong Planning Phase for more efficient, predictable assessments

Public participation plans are required to be in place early on to identify who needs to be consulted throughout the assessment. This will help avoid mid-project changes that can slow the process.

More collaborative assessments

Our objective is "one project, one review" With recent changes to the impact assessment process, we’ve introduced a harmonized assessment process whereby the federal government and another jurisdiction can collaboratively determine how an assessment will be conducted, making use of each jurisdiction’s areas of expertise and authority. The goal of this approach is to establish the most efficient and appropriate way to assess a project. The process would be outlined in an agreement between the jurisdictions.

By having "one project, one review," the impact assessment of your project will be more:

• efficient: reduced duplication, shared activities, joint documentation, joint review panel
• predictable: a clear process, leading to a common understanding of the guidance and potential impacts

How we help proponents succeed: unlocking the value of Indigenous partnerships

Timely and efficient impact assessments are built upon a foundation of open and constructive dialogue between government, proponents and Indigenous groups. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) facilitates early, constructive engagement between industry and Indigenous groups—helping proponents foster social acceptance, avoid delays, reduce costs, and ultimately build stronger, more resilient projects.

Built on trusted relationships with over 300 Indigenous communities across the country, IAAC designs assessment processes that are flexible, thorough, and rigorous, ensuring they meet regulatory requirements, uphold constitutional obligations, and result in durable project decisions.

Our proactive approach helps proponents identify and address issues early—before they escalate into costly obstacles while also highlighting opportunities for partnership with Indigenous groups.

By working closely with proponents and Indigenous groups from the outset, we ensure a shared understanding of potential project impacts and support practical, innovative solutions to concerns raised This reduces uncertainty and streamlines the assessment process, avoiding common pitfalls that can lead to project slowdowns or redesigns.

Early engagement with IAAC gives proponents a real strategic advantage—saving time, managing risk, and laying the foundation for long-term success through stronger Indigenous partnerships.

Only some projects require an impact assessment

Only projects with the greatest potential for adverse effects in federal jurisdictions (like hydroelectric dams, some mines, and marine terminals or projects of a certain size or threshold) may need an impact assessment. These types of projects are clearly set out in the Project List, which is currently being reviewed.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change's ability to designate other projects for an impact assessment is also limited to potential non-negligible negative impacts in federal jurisdiction.

Early decision as to whether an assessment is needed

In the amended Impact Assessment Act, well-thought-out initial project descriptions can lead the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to make an early decision as to whether a project requires a full assessment, saving everyone valuable time and effort.

Help with federal permitting coordination

The Government of Canada committed to building a Federal Permitting Dashboard on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry for both projects that require an impact assessment and those that don’t but will still require permits. This is to improve predictability for project proponents and increase the federal government’s transparency and accountability.

The government also announced funding to reduce interdepartmental inefficiencies, ensuring new timelines of two years to complete federal impact assessments and permitting are upheld and improving data sharing among federal departments to reduce redundant studies.

Knowledgeable staff and guidance

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has knowledgeable staff to provide you with valuable guidance from best practices for Indigenous consultation to tailored impact statement guidelines. This advice helps position you for a seamless assessment that is focused on the most important issues surrounding a particular project.

How do I start the process?

First, say hello.

We invite you to reach out to us as soon as possible, even in the early stages, to successfully begin the impact assessment process. Past experience has shown that proponents who reach out for early advice are better prepared and generally have a more successful and efficient assessment process.

We have offices to serve you in St. John’s, Halifax, Quebec, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

You can find our contact details here: Contact the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

How do impact assessments work

• Learn about the phases of an assessment
• Get training on how to prepare and submit an initial project description
• Watch this video for tips on how to search the Registry and learn about various projects including reviewing comment submitted about your own project

How to prepare for an impact assessment

• What do I do first when submitting a proposal? Contact the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and create a profile on the Proponent Portal to submit your proposal
• Read the Practitioner’s guide to impact assessment
• Visit the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry to learn more about various projects, the types of comments received and examples of key milestones and documents so you know what to expect
• Visit our Interactive Assessment Map to learn more about your proposed project area

Tips

• Start consultation with communities and Indigenous Peoples early so you can build relationships, get a sense of the concerns and explore ways to collaborate
• Prepare a solid initial project description, the clearer you are the greater the chance we will be able to assess whether a full impact assessment is even required.
• Contact us early, so we can start to gather information and coordinate with other federal experts and jurisdictions
• Review templated Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Regional or Strategic Assessments conducted in your area, so you get a sense of the type of information you will likely require or can access to finalize your Impact Statement

Stay informed

• Sign up for notifications about your and other projects
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