Federal Review Coordinator and Crown Consultation Hub for Projects
To get projects built faster, the Government of Canada is improving the efficiency and predictability of federal assessment and regulatory processes.
The Cabinet Directive on Getting Projects Built in Canada (the Directive) will enhance coordination of federal permitting, authorizations, licensing and Crown consultation to expedite decisions while maintaining strong environmental protection and respecting Indigenous rights.
Federal Review Coordination
Who will lead?
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) will act as the Federal Review Coordinator for most projects – those subject to the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and for other projects that would benefit from federal coordination to be determined by IAAC and the Major Projects Office.
As the Federal Review Coordinator, IAAC will work with federal permitting departments to ensure that reviews of permitting applications are integrated and concurrent with any federal impact assessment that applies to the project. This will include ensuring that information requirements are clear, coordinated and avoid duplication and that assessment and regulatory decisions required for construction can be issued in no more than one year after the proponent provides a comprehensive application and the required information and studies.
For projects regulated under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, the Canada Energy Regulator will coordinate; for projects regulated under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will coordinate; and for non-IAA designated transportation projects, Transport Canada will lead coordination.
The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency will continue its existing coordination role for Northern projects subject to an assessment process under the following legislation:
- Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act
- Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act
- Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act
If an impact assessment is not required but multiple federal permits are, a permit plan will be issued and coordinated by the Federal Review Coordinator and decisions will be made no more than one year after the proponent provides a comprehensive application and the required information and studies.
What is the role of the Major Projects Office in coordinating projects?
For projects listed under the Building Canada Act, the Major Projects Office (MPO) will lead coordination of federal reviews.
In addition, the MPO will work with the Federal Review Coordinator in coordinating assessments and permitting as they may apply to projects referred to the MPO. The MPO will also use its expertise to support final investment decisions for projects.
What is the benefit of federal review coordination for projects?
- More efficient overall process – A coordinated impact assessment and permitting regime will allow for federal decisions for projects to be issued concurrently and in no more than one year after the proponent provides a comprehensive applications and the required information and studies.
- Better project design – by providing early integration of permit requirements in the review process.
- A single point of contact within the Government of Canada for proponents and other jurisdictions.
- Transparency and accountability through public reporting on the progress of permitting on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.
How long will it take to complete assessments and issue permits for a project?
The Directive sets out project review targets of completion within one year from receiving comprehensive applications and required information and studies.
This will be accomplished by eliminating procedural redundancies, greater collaboration between those involved, and applying a risk-based approach where the focus is on those issues most relevant to the assessment. This includes supporting proponent readiness by ensuring information requirements are clear, coordinated, and that unnecessary duplication is avoided.
The Federal Review Coordinator – together with responsible Deputy Ministers – must ensure impact assessments and reviews for federal permits can occur concurrently, subject to a proponent’s request to delay a permit application, enabling decisions within the project review targets.
Through federal review coordination, IAAC will work with proponents and permitting departments to develop a detailed permitting plan to set milestones and outline efforts needed to achieve targets. Early engagement with the federal government, communities and Indigenous Peoples is essential to efficient and effective reviews to support expedited decisions.
Crown Consultation Hub
Under the Directive, IAAC is responsible for the Crown Consultation Hub, to ensure a single, coordinated, Crown consultation process across federal departments and agencies who are responsible for making decisions on a project. It applies for projects that require federal assessments, permits, and regulatory decisions, and where coordination is needed. This Hub will help reduce duplication, improve clarity, and create a more consistent and predictable experience for Indigenous communities.
The Government of Canada remains committed to fulfilling its duty to consult. This coordinated process does not remove or negate any requirements for consultations.
Benefits of the Crown Consultation Hub:- One consultation process, per community, per project
- Clearer timelines and sequencing of consultation activities
- Timely access to funding for Indigenous groups participating in consultation processes through a more coordinated and centralized process to facilitate their participation in federal project reviews
How can proponents support an efficient and seamless federal review process for their project?
To participate in this coordinated approach, proponents should be ready to begin the impact assessment and permitting processes and be responsive and proactive throughout the project review process. This means that the proponent should understand the laws and regulations that apply to their project. The project should be well-defined, and the proponent should be able to provide high-quality submissions to support the review process. Proponents should have made sustained and meaningful efforts to establish and maintain relationships with Indigenous Peoples and have clear strategies for ongoing Indigenous and public engagement. Proponents must also consent to having their project and the status of their federal permitting processes shown on a public dashboard. A permit application can be delayed at the request of proponents.
IAAC will facilitate early discussions with proponents and support them in getting ready.
Contact us
For more information on federal review coordination and the Crown Consultation Hub, including questions about funding availability, please contact permit.coordination.permis@iaac-aeic.gc.ca