Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s 2026–27 Departmental plan: Horizontal initiatives
General information
Name of horizontal initiative: Impact Assessment Processes
Lead department: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Federal partner departments:
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Parks Canada
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Health Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Indigenous Services Canada
- Natural Resources Canada
- Canada Energy Regulator
- Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
- Transport Canada
- Women and Gender Equality Canada
- Canadian Coast Guard, with the Department of National Defence
Start date of the horizontal initiative: August 2019
End date of the horizontal initiative: March 2028
Description of the horizontal initiative: With the coming into force of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) in August 2019, the Impact Assessment and Regulatory Processes Horizontal Initiative was established to monitor the progress of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and its then nine partner organizations in the implementation of the IAA and other acts. Renewed in September 2022, the initiative was streamlined to focus specifically on Impact Assessment Processes as implemented by the Agency as the initiative lead and 12 partners in their capacity as technical experts, system-owners, and lifecycle regulators. The initiative has three shared outcomes: Canada’s impact assessment processes respect the rights and culture of Indigenous Peoples, and Canada’s commitment to partner with them; Canada’s impact assessment processes foster social, economic, and environmental sustainability; and stakeholders and Indigenous groups have confidence in the transparency and certainty of Canada’s impact assessment processes.
Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars): $2,258,656,004
Strategic Outcomes and Funding
Planning highlights:
As presented below, some departments and agencies have identified planning highlights specific to their organization for 2026-27.
- Impact Assessment Agency of Canada:
- Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) amended its Departmental Results Framework (DRF) to ensure it aligns with the amended IAA, which came into effect in June 2024, and with Government of Canada priorities related to federal impact assessment. This resulted in changes to the Theme-level outcomes for Theme A: Impact Assessment.
- In 2026-27, IAAC will continue to review all remaining outcomes, indicators, and associated information and expects changes to be proposed for 2027-28.
- Parks Canada
- Parks Canada expects to be involved in several impact assessments of designated projects in 2026-27. For example, Parks Canada will contribute to impact assessment readiness activities for the Offshore Wind Development projects in Nova Scotia.
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- In 2026-27, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) will continue to provide subject matter expertise on consultation, the duty to consult, and Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples. This work will help support and ensure that impact assessment processes for designated projects reflect the Government of Canada’s commitments to reconciliation, fulfill treaty obligations, and advance efforts beyond meeting the legal duty to consult.
- Health Canada
- In 2026-27, Health Canada (HC) will:
- Provide scientific expertise to support the assessment of health impacts as part of impact assessments;
- Manage the volume of external demands for health expertise through national and regional monitoring of review stages, tracking of project deliverables, and ongoing workload priority-setting;
- Develop and strengthen collaborative relationships with federal partners (e.g., through the IAAC-HC Tiger Team) on existing and future initiatives under the IAA;
- Administer a contributions agreement program to co-develop distinctions-based culturally sensitive guidance and tools for integrating Indigenous health considerations into Health Impact Assessment; and
- Implement strategies to streamline assessments of health effects in areas of federal jurisdiction.
- In 2026-27, Health Canada (HC) will:
- Indigenous Services Canada
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is updating its internal process for reviewing designated projects under the IAA. These updates are intended to reflect recent ISC restructuring and anticipated changes to how IAAC administers the IAA, while supporting more efficient and expedited assessment processes.
- Natural Resources Canada
- Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will enhance the Open Science and Data Platform (OSDP) with a new geospatial visualization tool and automate processes to connect to and synchronize data weekly with portals from other jurisdictions. The OSDP will also employ artificial intelligence (AI) to support users with enhanced search functions and an AI-assisted chatbot.
- NRCan will continue to participate in the impact assessments of proposed designated projects, providing expert advice to IAAC in a timely manner to support federal decision-making. This includes continuing to provide advice in areas of federal jurisdiction and supporting IAAC with its efforts to implement the two-year timeline for "one project, one review." As part of these activities, NRCan will continue to support IAAC with tailoring guidelines (e.g., fish and fish habitat guidelines), common mitigation measures, and permitting coordination.
- In collaboration with IAAC, offshore regulators, and the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, NRCan will finalize the Offshore Renewable Energy Regulations Initiative, including the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Renewable Energy Regulations and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Renewable Energy Regulations.
- Canada Energy Regulator
- In 2026-27, the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) will undertake a review of the Crown Consultation Coordinator role within its adjudication processes, with the goal of providing greater clarity for proponents, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders.
- The CER will continue working closely with First Nations and Métis governments, organizations, and communities affected by CER-regulated facilities to strengthen Indigenous participation in oversight and decision-making. Engagement efforts will be tailored to meet the needs of diverse audiences at both national and regional levels. These initiatives will promote the meaningful integration of Indigenous Knowledge, uphold Indigenous rights, and build capacity among Indigenous Peoples. This will ensure that Indigenous communities’ rights and interests are respected and that Indigenous communities have an active role in shaping the future of Canada’s energy systems.
- The CER will continue to strengthen Indigenous cultural intelligence and integrity across the organization, enabling staff to better understand and respect Indigenous laws and to more effectively weave Indigenous Knowledge into their work.
- Women and Gender Equality Canada
- Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) will collaborate with IAAC to support the implementation of Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in assessments and to update relevant documents to reflect amendments to the IAA that came into effect in June 2024.
- Canadian Coast Guard, with the Department of National Defence
- The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is reviewing and adjusting internal processes to support continued delivery of timely marine navigation, safety, and incident-management advice under accelerated impact assessment (IA) timelines. CCG's efforts are focused on maintaining service standards and responsiveness while aligning with evolving IA requirements and interdepartmental expectations.
Contact information:
Name: Mary Kay Lamarche
Mailing Address: 160 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9, 22nd Floor
Phone: 343-998-4920
Email: MaryKay.Lamarche@iaac-aeic.gc.ca
Planning information (in dollars)
Horizontal initiative overview
| Name of horizontal initiative |
Total federal funding |
2026-27 planned spending (dollars) |
Horizontal initiative shared outcome(s) |
Performance indicator(s) |
Target(s) |
Date to achieve target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact Assessment Processes |
|
$206,198,247 |
Canada’s impact assessment processes foster social, economic, and environmental sustainability |
Percentage of projects for which reporting indicates that the vast majority* of mitigation measures set out in the Decision Statement effectively address adverse effects of the project *Vast majority = 75% or more of mitigation measures are reported as effective |
90% |
March 2027 (annual target) |
Canada’s impact assessment processes respect the rights and culture of Indigenous peoples, and Canada’s commitment to partner with them |
Percentage of Indigenous groups who agree they have a productive and collaborative relationship with IAAC |
70% |
March 2027 (annual target) |
|||
GBA Plus |
Percentage of Indigenous groups who agree they have a productive and collaborative relationship with IAAC, by region* *According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon |
70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2025-26) |
March 2027 (annual target) |
|||
GBA Plus |
Percentage of Indigenous groups who agree they have a productive and collaborative relationship with IAAC, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) |
70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2025-26) |
March 2027 (annual target) |
|||
Stakeholders and Indigenous groups have confidence in the transparency and certainty of Canada’s impact assessment processes |
Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessments who report a high level of confidence in the transparency of the assessment process |
70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2025-26) |
March 2027 (annual target) |
|||
GBA Plus |
Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessments reporting a high level of confidence in the transparency of the assessment process, by region* *According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon |
70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2025-26) |
March 2027 (annual target) |
|||
GBA Plus |
Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessments reporting a high level of confidence in the transparency of the assessment process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous |
70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2025-26) |
March 2027 (annual target) |
|||
Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree there is certainty in the assessment process |
65% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2025-26) |
March 2027 (annual target) |
||||
GBA Plus |
Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree there is certainty in the assessment process, by region* *According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon |
65% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2025-26) |
March 2027 |
|||
GBA Plus |
Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree there is certainty in the assessment process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous |
65% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2025-26) |
March 2027 |
Shared Outcomes
Canada’s impact assessment processes respect the rights and culture of Indigenous peoples, and Canada’s commitment to partner with them
Canada’s impact assessment processes foster social, economic, and environmental sustainability
Stakeholders and Indigenous groups have confidence in the transparency and certainty of Canada’s impact assessment processes
| Name of theme |
Theme A: Impact Assessment |
Theme B: Partnering with Indigenous Peoples/Reconciliation |
Theme C: Cumulative Effects, Open Science and Evidence |
Internal services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theme outcome(s) |
Outcome 1: Adverse effects within federal jurisdiction are prevented or mitigated Outcome 2: Efficient assessment processes, including "one project, one review" |
Outcome 1: Indigenous groups meaningfully participate in the assessment process |
Outcome 1: Government of Canada effectively considers cumulative effects in federal impact assessment processes Outcome 2: Impact and cumulative effects assessment in Canada reflect a commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability and respect our partnership with Indigenous peoples |
Not applicable |
| Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) |
$52,866,438 |
$17,552,068 |
$9,649,078 |
$16,320,480 |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) |
$9,888,319 |
Not applicable |
$22,656,995 |
$2,446,927 |
| Parks Canada (PC) |
$3,370,281 |
$1,187,744 |
Not applicable |
$442,251 |
| Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) |
Not applicable |
$1,722,941 |
Not applicable |
$225,421 |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) |
$8,317,211 |
$3,857,352 |
$2,599,098 |
$2,019,700 |
| Health Canada (HC) |
$9,026,408 |
$298,073 |
$414,279 |
$650,025 |
| Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) |
$288,169 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$30,410 |
| Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) |
$3,377,888 |
$2,430,724 |
$4,479,032 |
$696,080 |
| Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) |
$8,784,829 |
Not applicable |
$11,497,993 |
$2,003,973 |
| Canada Energy Regulator (CER) |
Not applicable |
$15,201,184 |
$1,509,218 |
$574,753 |
| Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) |
Not applicable |
$6,158,034 |
Not applicable |
$445,582 |
| Transport Canada (TC) |
$5,486,088 |
$2,114,009 |
$311,000 |
$684,104 |
| Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) |
$472,859 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$60,483 |
| Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), with the Department of National Defence (DND) |
$680,935 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
$93,867 |
Theme horizontal initiative activities
| Theme |
Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal (dollars) |
2026-27 total federal planned spending (dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| Theme A |
$524,848,225 |
$102,559,425 |
| Theme B |
$257,011,743 |
$50,522,129 |
| Theme C |
$293,878,858 |
$53,116,693 |
| Total, all themes |
$1,075,738,826 |
$206,198,247 |
| Name of theme |
Theme outcome(s) |
Theme performance indicator(s) |
Theme target(s) |
Date to achieve theme target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact Assessment |
Adverse effects within federal jurisdiction are prevented or mitigated |
Percentage of projects with follow-up program results that indicated the vast majority of mitigation measures effectively address adverse effects within federal jurisdiction |
90%* * Target to be reviewed based on actual results observed in 2026-27. |
March 2027 (annual target) |
Efficient assessment processes, including "one project, one review" |
Percentage of project assessments where "one project, one review" applies* * "One project, one review" means where there is more than one process, duplication is avoided through cooperation agreements, substitution of project assessments, or other cooperation approaches and plans that minimize overlap. |
80%* * Target to be reviewed based on actual results observed in 2026-27. |
March 2028 (annual target) |
|
Percentage reduction in the time needed to complete assessment processes, compared to baseline* * Baseline to be calculated based on average elapsed time to complete assessments since coming into force of the IAA (i.e., August 2019) to the end of 2025-26 (i.e., March 31, 2026), including clock stoppages. |
50%* * Target to be reviewed based on actual results observed in 2026-27. |
March 2028 (annual target) |
||
Percentage of assessments conducted within targeted timelines |
80%* * Target to be reviewed based on actual results observed in 2026-27. |
March 2027 (annual target) |
| Name of theme |
Theme outcome(s) |
Theme performance indicator(s) |
Theme target(s) |
Date to achieve theme target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Partnering with Indigenous Peoples/Reconciliation |
Indigenous groups meaningfully participate in the assessment process |
Percentage of Indigenous groups participating in assessment-related engagement/consultation activities who indicate they were engaged meaningfully in the assessment process |
80%* * Target to be reviewed based on actual results observed in 2026-27. |
March 2028 (annual target) |
| Name of theme |
Theme outcome(s) |
Theme performance indicator(s) |
Theme target(s) |
Date to achieve theme target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cumulative Effects, Open Science and Evidence |
Cumulative Effects Coordination and Leadership Government of Canada effectively considers cumulative effects in federal impact assessment processes |
Percentage of federal reports arising from federal impact assessment processes that should refer to cumulative effects (or similar, e.g. cumulative impacts) |
80% |
March 2027 (annual target) |
Impact and cumulative effects assessment in Canada reflect a commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability and respect our partnership with Indigenous peoples |
Percentage of Open Science and Data Platform (OSDP) users who indicate they accessed the open science and data platform to: facilitate participation in IA and/or regulatory processes; or understand and/or better manage cumulative effects; or consider Indigenous Knowledge open information |
70% |
March 2027 (annual target) |
Evaluations
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2027-28 (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
Legacy Data
Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative: December 2022
Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal, and source of funding (dollars): $1,245,171,076 (Budget 2023’s Refocusing Government Spending Exercise)
Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars): Not applicable
Total planned spending since last renewal: $791,211,134
Total actual spending since last renewal: $467,406,618