Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s 2026–27 Departmental plan: Operating context

The Impact Assessment Act (IAA) provides a clear and open process to ensure major projects get built responsibly, minimize harm to the environment, and protect Indigenous rights. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) operates in a constantly changing environment, where external factors such as markets and the socio-economic climate can affect the type, timing, volume, and distribution of projects requiring impact assessments. Similarly, federal impact assessment requirements are part of a complex constitutional and regulatory context that includes shared provincial and federal responsibilities to protect the environment and Indigenous rights, federal and provincial legislative and regulatory requirements, requirements for fair, predictable and efficient assessment processes, and a population with among the highest standards for environmental quality and protection.

In June 2024, an amended IAA came into force in response to the October 2023 Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) Decision. The amendments focus decision-making on areas of clear federal jurisdiction and strengthen collaboration with provincial partners to advance the objective of "one project, one review." This objective is realized through coordinated and streamlined assessment processes, the implementation of co-operation agreements, and active efforts to reduce duplication across jurisdictions, ensuring that projects are reviewed efficiently under a single process. By working closely with other jurisdictions to ensure "one project, one review", including through co-‍operation agreements and substituted assessments, such as those conducted in British Columbia, IAAC supports timely and predictable assessments that facilitate investment in major projects.

The role of IAAC is to facilitate the responsible development of the most complex projects in Canada, with the most potential for significant adverse effects in areas of federal jurisdiction through the conduct of an open and organized process to coordinate Crown consultation to meet the Duty to Consult; meet the federal government’s responsibility to mitigate adverse effects within federal jurisdiction inform and coordinate federal permits; and gain social license to facilitate project development. These assessments identify ways to ensure the environment and Indigenous rights are protected as projects get built. To ensure the timely, efficient, and effective delivery of federal assessments, IAAC is:

• Implementing new tools to standardize elements of the assessment process and integrate permitting requirements into assessments;
• Continuing to conduct regional and strategic assessments to understand the impacts of development and to develop mitigation measures in advance, which will enable future project assessments to focus on what is unique;
• Providing clear guidance to proponents on key issues in areas of federal interest to focus assessments on what matters while also providing a rationale for which Indigenous communities are to be engaged in the process;
• Developing and implementing co-operation agreements with interested provinces, leveraging provincial mechanisms, and relying on provincial assessment processes to reduce duplication and enhance the efficiency of reviews; and
• Working with provinces to align approaches to Indigenous consultation and economic participation while reconciling differences that may exist.

In addition, IAAC engages and consults meaningfully with Indigenous Peoples and the public, provides opportunities throughout assessment processes for them to participate, and manages funding programs to facilitate their participation in these processes. For example, IAAC administers the Participant Funding Program, which supports Indigenous groups, individuals, and non-profit organizations interested in participating in federal environmental and impact assessments, as well as regional and strategic assessments. Indigenous and public participation in federal assessments ensures an open and balanced process, while strengthening the quality and credibility of project reviews.

The assessment process established under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) and the IAA coexist with other environmental and impact assessment requirements established under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and Northeastern Quebec Agreement. IAAC continues to implement assessment processes effectively and efficiently under other treaties and land claims agreements, including:

• Nisga’a Final Agreement;
• Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement;
• Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement;
• Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement; and
• Inuvialuit Final Agreement.

Close collaboration between IAAC and Indigenous rights-holders ensures the efficient and effective coordination of these processes.