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Truths and misconceptions about federal impact assessments in Canada

Frequently asked questions

Find answers about federal impact assessments in Canada: environmental safeguards, Indigenous consultation, efficient timelines, and collaboration with provinces.

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Environmental protection

Has the government weakened environmental protections to speed up approvals?

No. Federal impact assessments remain grounded in sound science, rigorous process and due diligence to ensure strong environmental safeguards for all projects.

See also: How do federal impact assessments balance economic growth and sustainability?

Key takeaway: Environmental protection remains central to all federal assessments.

Does Canada need to weaken its environmental laws to allow projects to proceed?

No. Canada’s regulatory system is designed to protect the environment and Indigenous rights while enabling sustainable economic development. The rigour, transparency, and fairness of federal assessments are a competitive advantage, ensuring major projects move forward responsibly and with public trust.

See also: How federal impact assessments guide responsible development in Canada

Key takeaway: Strong environmental standards and project development go hand-in-hand.

Do federal policies prevent LNG, oil or pipeline projects from moving forward in Canada?

No. The Impact Assessment Act does not block LNG or oil and pipeline projects. The Impact Assessment Act provides tools to move projects forward efficiently while maintaining environmental standards.

For example, the Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims Projects in British Columbia were approved in 2023 and 2025 respectively through a substituted provincial process.

See also: Do federal impact assessments take too long?

Key takeaway: LNG, oil or pipeline projects can and do move forward under the Impact Assessment Act.

What Environmental and community organizations and the Canadian public or anyone interested in Canada’s sustainability need to know on Canada’s improved federal impact assessment system?

Efficiency and timelines

How many projects have been approved under the Impact Assessment Act?

Common misconceptions stem from a focus on high-profile projects that require extensive review due to their complex nature. However, the Impact Assessment Act is designed to ensure early decisions are made as well.

In fact, since 2019, more than 20 projects have been approved to move forward and seek other regulatory and permitting authorizations.

See also: How do impact assessments facilitate good projects in Canada?

Key takeaway: Under the Impact Assessment Act, more than 20 projects have already been approved.

How long does a federal impact assessment take under the Impact Assessment Act?

We are working on re-engineering our processes to complete all assessments in two years. To make the process more predictable and manageable, we are:

  • sharpening the focus on areas of federal jurisdiction
  • streamlining information requirements
  • simplifying templates
  • minimizing duplication with provincial processes
  • providing new guidance for proponents to support meaningful early engagement with Indigenous peoples and early identification of issues

Since amending the Impact Assessment Act in 2024, more than 10 projects have completed the federal impact assessment process with about 90% within less than three months and one in less than 50 days. *As of September 19, 2025.

Our goal is to provide greater efficiency and certainty for project proponents, industry, and stakeholders while continuing to protect the environment and Indigenous Rights.

See also: Do federal impact assessments take too long?

Key takeaway: Assessments are faster and more predictable, with a two-year limit.

Do federal impact assessments apply to every project in Canada?

No. Federal impact assessments are limited to major projects that are likely to have adverse effects in federal jurisdiction, such as those with potential transboundary effects or adverse impacts on Indigenous People. In fact, only about eight major projects per year enter the federal impact assessment process. Most other projects are assessed provincially or territorially.

See also: Which projects require a federal impact assessment in Canada?

Key takeaway: Federal reviews are limited to major projects with federal implications.

Do impact assessments paralyze industry by asking for too much information?

No. The Impact Assessment Act allows assessments to be tailored based on a project’s type, location, and potential impacts—ensuring industry is only asked to provide what is absolutely needed for the Government of Canada to make an informed decision on the areas it controls. The guidelines focus on federal responsibilities, and where possible, they can be streamlined to defer to provincial processes for issues under provincial control.

See also: How Canada’s Impact Assessment Act supports investment and sustainability

Key takeaway: Assessments are focused and adapted to different project types.

Does the Impact Assessment Act prioritize economic development over environmental concerns?

No. The Impact Assessment Act balances environmental, economic, health, and social considerations, supporting sustainable development and resilient communities with a focus on managing effects in areas of federal jurisdiction, like migratory birds, fish and fish habitat.

See also: Why does Canada conduct impact assessments?

Key takeaway: IAAC balances environmental protection with economic growth.

Does IAAC ignore industry concerns?

Not at all. IAAC regularly engages with industry stakeholders, incorporating their feedback to improve processes, guidance, and timelines.

See also: How does predictability drive successful impact assessments in Canada?

Key takeaway: Industry feedback is actively considered in how we conduct assessments.

What project proponents, investors and industry leaders need to know on Canada’s improved federal impact assessment system?

Federal-provincial collaboration

Do federal and provincial assessments duplicate each other?

Both the federal and provincial governments are responsible for protecting the environment with each responsible for specific aspects. In cases where a proposed project's effects touch provincial and federal areas of responsibility, the Impact Assessment Act allows for cooperation with provinces to streamline assessments, reduce duplication, minimize consultation fatigue, and improve outcomes. This "one project, one review" approach ensures each government maintains their authority while continuing to effectively protect the environment and Indigenous Rights.

See also: Do federal impact assessments take too long?

Key takeaway: Federal and provincial governments coordinate to avoid duplication.

Are decisions made in isolation?

Absolutely not. IAAC collaborates with federal departments, provinces, territories, stakeholders, the public and Indigenous groups to ensure assessments are informed, inclusive, and coordinated.

See also: How do Canada’s federal impact assessments ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability?

Key takeaway: Federal assessments involve collaboration across governments and Indigenous groups.

What do Government and elected officials from provinces and territories need to know about Canada’s improved federal impact assessment system?

Indigenous consultation

Is Indigenous consultation just a checkbox exercise?

No. The meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples in impact assessments is essential to fully understanding the impacts of major projects, building social acceptance, avoiding project delays, reducing costs, and ensuring Indigenous Knowledge is incorporated into how projects get built.

See how Canada is implementing the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in impact assessments.

Key takeaway: Indigenous consultation is substantive, not symbolic.

Are Indigenous groups consulted too late in the process?

Not under the Impact Assessment Act. Indigenous consultation is embedded early and continues throughout the assessment, ensuring Indigenous perspectives shape project outcomes from the start.

IAAC also strongly encourages proponents to reach out early to potentially affected Indigenous communities to help build their project proposal that will be assessed.

See also: Why does Canada conduct impact assessments?

Key takeaway: Indigenous voices are included from the beginning of assessments.

What Indigenous Peoples need to know on Canada’s improved federal impact assessment system?

How federal impact assessments guide responsible development in Canada

Transcript: How federal impact assessments guide responsible development in Canada

To be clear, let's acknowledge that federal impact assessments only pertain to major infrastructure and development projects, like hydroelectric dams, ports and large-scale mines.

I like to think of a federal impact assessment as a roadmap at the start of a project that will ultimately guide the design of the project so there is a better outcome for everyone involved.

In other words, our process helps understand and address the impacts of major projects on the surrounding people, places and biodiversity like plants and animals.

With assessments, we want to zero in on what matters to Canadians and Indigenous Peoples as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Things like impacts on Indigenous rights, water, species at risk, migratory birds and fish and fish habitat.

The process is all about making sure that natural resource and other kinds of major developments in Canada occur responsibly and sustainably, taking into account Canadian values, the environment and rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Why Canada conducts impact assessments?

Transcript: Why Canada conducts impact assessments?

Canada conducts federal impact assessments to minimize the impacts of big projects, like hydroelectric dams, ports and large-scale mines on the environment, local communities, Canadians and Indigenous peoples.

Make no mistake, Canada wants and needs development projects, especially ones that will advance our country's clean growth ambitions.

We want to be facilitators of good projects and to work with proponents, Indigenous peoples and Canadians to get there.

We see impact assessments as a road map that finds the right balance between the environment and the economy and helps us all get to a better outcome. Also, by conducting these assessments openly and transparently, we give Canadians a chance to have their voices heard in matters that affect them.

That ensures we don't miss anything that might be critical so there is a better understanding and acceptance of a project.

How do impact assessments facilitate good projects in Canada?

Transcript: How do impact assessments facilitate good projects in Canada?

Canada is an attractive place to invest for many reasons. An educated and growing population, stable government, solid banking system and a strong commitment to sustainable development.

For forward thinking companies, conducting an impact assessment before a project begins is just good business and it's what is socially and legally expected.

We know historically when meaningful consultation does not occur and issues that are important to communities and Canadians are not addressed, problems occur down the road. The impact assessment process is an early planning tool to help facilitate this work.

Canada wants and needs development projects, especially ones that will advance our country's clean growth ambitions.

So we're pulling out the stops to be facilitators of good projects and reexamining our own processes to zero-in more effectively on what matters most in terms of impact assessment.

When it comes to clean growth projects, we're also playing a role in coordinating any permits that might be necessary to help streamline the entire process for project proponents.

An impact assessment is simply a road map we create with a proponent at the front end of developing a project that puts the project and the community on the right path forward.

How does predictability drive successful impact assessments in Canada?

Transcript: How does predictability drive successful impact assessments in Canada?

We live in a complex country with different orders of government, legal and social support to protect indigenous rights, concerns for human health and protections for things like species at risk. But complexity is not the barrier.

After all, companies and other entities making multimillion-dollar investments with long term horizons are used to a degree of complexity already. What is more critical for industry is predictability.

We make our processes very clear and tailor our information needs to each project. We want to reduce the burden on proponents by zeroing in on what matters most. Our process is very clear and we ensure that all interested parties are informed about how to participate and what to expect.

For transparency, we post all documents, like letters and reports related to assessments on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry website, so the public can review and comment on them. Each project page contains all the information people need about a project, including plans, reports and timelines. Permitting, for example, is the latest edition, so our system is not opaque.

Yes, it's complex, but my view it is meaningful and fully transparent.

Learn more

Do federal impact assessments take too long?

Transcript: Do federal impact assessments take too long?

In the past, federal impact assessments have often taken longer than we would like.

There are many reasons assessments have advanced slowly. Sometimes project designs change, companies get sold, or project proponents haven't done their homework.

We are also looking at ways to do better on our end, too. We are committed to improving our review timelines without compromising our robust processes. With some tools in our toolbox, like cooperation agreements with provinces, we are confident we can achieve this.

We are committed more than ever is the idea of one project, one assessment, and we are working hard to achieve this. For example, the review of Cedar LNG, a liquefied natural gas project on Canada's West Coast, was completed in just over three years in cooperation with the province of British Columbia. That's a model to follow.

Our set timelines are also designed to keep the assessment process predictable and on track. By law, we can't pause an assessment once it's started, only the project proponent can. This means there are no unexpected stops and starts caused by us that could delay a final decision.

Finally, a strong majority of Canadians think it's important to get assessments right rather than to rush them and miss something. And that view is more or less consistent in every province. So we want to be more efficient at doing a good, reliable job people can count on.

Which projects require a federal impact assessment in Canada?

Transcript: Which projects require a federal impact assessment in Canada?

Let's be clear, only a small number of projects are even considered for a federal impact assessment.

We only focus on assessing major projects like transboundary pipelines, large-scale mines, marine shipping ports, nuclear facilities, etc.

These projects that experts believe have the greatest potential for adverse effects and federal jurisdiction.

And equally important, we consulted industry, experts, and others to determine the most critical projects to assess and published those in regulations known as the Project List. We are in the process of reexamining that list after five years, with the benefit of experience, science and Indigenous knowledge.

The minister can designate other projects to be considered for an impact assessment, but this is an exceptional power. Instances are rare and the conditions limited.

How Canada's Impact Assessment Act supports investment and sustainability?

Transcript: How Canada's Impact Assessment Act supports investment and sustainability?

The IAA benefits capital investment by increasing regulatory certainty and clarity.

Most advanced economies around the world have some form of impact or environmental assessment regime for major projects. All countries are concerned with sustainability and, at the same time, their ability to attract investment.

Overall, while Canada's process aligns closely with other advanced economies and its thoroughness, the specifics of implementation and emphasis can vary, reflecting each country's legal, cultural and environmental priorities.

What is most critical for industry is predictability. No one wants to operate on a football field where the sidelines and end lines change all the time.

We can and do address predictability by establishing clear expectations and time limits upfront with project proponents. That's why our aim is to tailor our information requests to the nature of each project and to focus on what matters most.

We are also committed to the principle of "one project, one assessment" to avoid duplication with other jurisdictions. That's why formal cooperation agreements with provinces are a top priority for us.

5 good things about federal impact assessments

Transcript: 5 good things about federal impact assessments

Canada’s amended Impact Assessment Act

#1 Impact assessments are transparent.

Participation leads to better outcomes

  • We post all documents related to assessments on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.
  • Each project page on the Registry contains all the information you need including plans, reports and timelines.
  • There are different ways to participate at every step: join an information session, receive notifications, comment online or write to us.
  • For certain groups, we provide funding to participate.
  • Finally, when the Government makes a decision about a project, by law it has to give its reasons.

#2 Impact assessments have strict time limits.

New two-year target for assessments

  • Set timelines are designed to keep the assessment process predictable – and on track.
  • Each step has a set number of days for completion.
  • Equally important, by law we can’t pause an assessment once it’s started – only the project proponent can.
  • This means there are no unexpected stops and starts caused by us that could delay a final decision.
  • Cooperation agreements with other jurisdictions can also avoid any unnecessary duplication.

#3 Impact assessments apply only to some specific projects.

Potential impacts drive need

  • We consulted industry and others to determine the critical projects to assess.
  • We landed on the ones with the greatest potential for adverse effects in areas of federal jurisdiction like dams, mines and marine terminals.
  • We are also re-examining these types of projects with the benefit of experience.
  • True, the Minister can designate other projects to be considered for an impact assessment, but instances are rare and the conditions are limited.

#4 Impact assessments provide predictability for industry.

Tailored requirements benefits investors

  • Our process benefits investment by increasing regulatory certainty and clarity.
  • It does this by establishing clear expectations and time limits up front with project proponents.
  • Another way is by "tailoring" the requirements of each assessment to the nature and complexity of the project.
  • Tailoring helps focus the assessment on the issues that matter to people the most.
  • Our process also encourages collaboration among jurisdictions to reduce duplication and to support the principle of "one project, one assessment."

#5 Assessments will support Canada’s clean growth.

Efficiency by focusing on what matters

  • The climate and biodiversity crises are at the forefront of Canada’s efforts to drive clean growth.
  • An efficient and robust regulatory system is key to helping us get there – safely and responsibly.
  • While most clean growth projects may not be subject to an assessment, those that are can count on a predictable, efficient and robust process that Canadians and Indigenous Peoples expect.
  • We are also helping to coordinate permits for major clean growth projects.

Five good things

  1. Impact assessments are transparent.
  2. Impact assessments have strict time limits.
  3. Impact assessments only apply to certain projects.
  4. Impact assessments are predictable.
  5. Impact assessments support clean growth.

How do Canada's federal impact assessments ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability?

Transcript: How do Canada's federal impact assessments ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability?

Today, let's set the record straight about Canada's impact assessment process for major projects.

No secrets here: impact assessments are open and transparent. Public participation is key to their success with all studies and documents accessible online.

Got a project in mind? Federal assessments are limited to projects with the greatest potential for adverse effects in federal jurisdiction. Projects like large mines, dams and ports. And we review these types of projects periodically, by consulting with the public.

In business, time is money, so we always undertake assessments with this important fact in mind. You don't need to worry about the unexpected. The federal impact assessment process is clear and predictable; so, the process stays on track and on time.

We don't do it alone! The federal impact assessment process makes it easier for provincial, federal and Indigenous governments to assess projects together. Which is simply a better way for everyone!

There's a pretty good reason why assessments are important: well-planned projects not only safeguard people, the environment, and Indigenous rights, but also lead to more successful and sustainable outcomes for generations to come.
It just makes sense to complete an assessment before a project starts.

Canada's Federal impact assessment system. Timely. Efficient. For what matters. For more information on the Impact Assessment Act, visit: canada.ca/IAAC

How do federal impact assessments balance economic growth and sustainability?

Transcript: How do federal impact assessments balance economic growth and sustainability?

I’m Terry Hubbard, president of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. I’d like to set the record straight on how we deliver federal impact assessments.

All countries are concerned with sustainability and at the same time their ability to attract investment. Most advanced economies around the world have some form of impact or environmental assessment regime for major projects.

Here at the Agency, we work hand in hand with industry leaders, environmental experts, indigenous communities and the Canadian public to better understand and mitigate the impacts of major projects on people, places and our environment.

We’re talking about major projects like transboundary pipelines, large scale mines, marine shipping ports, nuclear facilities, et cetera. These are projects that experts say have the greatest potential for adverse effects in federal jurisdiction.

With assessments we want to zero in on what matters to Canadians and indigenous peoples as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The process is all about making sure that natural resource and other kinds of major developments in Canada occur responsibly and sustainably, taking into account Canadian values, the environment and rights of Indigenous peoples.

Canada wants and needs development projects. We see impact assessments as a road map that finds the right balance between the environment and the economy and helps us all get to a better outcome.

For forward thinking companies, conducting an impact assessment before a project begins is just good business and is what is socially and legally expected.

We know historically when meaningful consultation does not occur and the issues that are important to communities and Canadians are not addressed, problems occur down the road. By conducting these assessments openly and transparently, we give Canadians a chance to have their voices heard in matters that affect them.

For transparency, we post all documents like letters and reports related to assessments on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry website so the public can review and comment on them.

The IAA benefits capital investment by increasing regulatory certainty and clarity. Our process is very clear and we ensure that all interested parties are informed about how to participate and what to expect.

Our set timelines are also designed to keep the assessment process predictable and on track. By law, we can’t pause an assessment once it’s started, only the project proponent can. This means there are no unexpected stops and starts caused by us that could delay a final decision.

In the past, federal impact assessments have often taken longer than we would like. It’s important to acknowledge that. So we’re pulling out the stops to be facilitators of good projects and reexamining our own processes to zero-in more effectively on what matters most in terms of impact assessment.

We are also looking at ways to do better on our end too.

We are committed to improving our review timelines without compromising our robust processes for example, by finding efficiencies, looking at scale and focusing on what matters. Our aim is to tailor our information requests to the nature of each project.

We are also committed to the principle of "one project, one assessment" to avoid duplication with other jurisdictions. That’s why formal cooperation agreements with provinces are a top priority for us.

We’re also playing a role in coordinating any permits that might be necessary to help streamline the entire process for project proponents.

A strong majority of Canadians think it’s important to get assessments right rather than to rush them and miss something.

As we move forward with more timely, efficient assessments, we remain committed to delivering what matters to Canadians: getting good projects built, protecting the environment, and ensuring the rights of Indigenous peoples are respected and upheld.

Canada’s impact assessment system benefits everyone.

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