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Developing Tailored Information and Studies Guidelines - Overview

July 2026

At the time of publishing, potential changes to the Impact Assessment Act are proposed by the Government of Canada in the Getting Major Project Built discussion paper. Should any changes be made relevant to this document, it will be updated.

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is ensuring projects subject to the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) are assessed in an efficient and timely manner. Tailored Information and Studies Guidelines (TISG), formerly the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines, play a critical role when an impact assessment is required to help complete assessments in a timely manner by clearly describing the elements that require further information and studies in relation to a project.

The updated TISG guidance is among the concrete actions that IAAC has taken to streamline information requirements and simplify templates to make the impact assessment process more predictable and manageable.

This document provides an overview of the TISG, how they are developed, and the roles that various groups play in their development.

Tailored Information and Studies Guidelines

The TISG explain the information and studies that a proponent must provide to assess the effects of its proposed project on people and the environment. IAAC designs the requirements with the aim of preventing or mitigating significant adverse federal effects. “Adverse federal effects” refers to both “adverse effects within federal jurisdiction” and “direct or incidental adverse effects” as defined in section 2 of the IAA. IAAC – or an independent review panel – uses the information and studies provided by the proponent, along with other information gathered through the impact assessment process, to inform its preparation of the Impact Assessment Report. This report informs federal decision making.

More specifically, the TISG:

  • outline the scope of the impact assessment, namely what will be considered and to what extent;
  • identify the elements of the natural and human environments that will serve as focal points of the impact assessment (e.g., adverse impacts to Indigenous Peoples resulting from environmental changes on their current use of lands, adverse effects on fish and fish habitat); and
  • establish the information and studies required of the proponent.

If an impact assessment is required for a project after a determination under section 16 of the IAA, project-specific TISG are issued to the proponent with the Notice of Commencement at the end of the Planning phase.

What requirements are included

The TISG are organized around the following categories:

  • likely adverse federal effects arising from the project;
  • impacts on Indigenous Peoples and their rights; and
  • contributions of the project to sustainability and to Canada’s environmental obligations and climate change commitments.

While all factors set out in section 22 of the IAA must be considered as part of the assessment, the TISG serve to focus the assessment effort on the subset of key issues within the three categories above. Key issues are those that require in-depth consideration to support decision making. This means that areas of highest concern will be assessed in depth, while less concerning issues (e.g. where the proponent’s commitment to standard mitigation measures in its Initial Project Description addresses the issue, where risk of a significant adverse federal effect is low) may not require the proponent to provide detailed information or studies.

The project specific TISG will be tailored as appropriate to facilitate the collection of information during the impact assessment process with the aim of reducing duplication of effort and expediting federal decision making on all authorizations required.

To support the development of TISG, IAAC developed a TISG Template to serve as the starting point for tailoring project-specific TISG. IAAC may rely on available information, as well as on any engagement that has occurred with the proponent, Indigenous groups, federal authorities, other jurisdictions and the public, as applicable, to tailor the template to a specific project. In addition, IAAC has developed Generic requirements for Tailored Information and Studies Guidelines that outline requirements for information and studies that would apply to all projects, notably with respect to methodology and engagement. IAAC has also compiled technical considerations and references to support proponents in the preparation of information and studies.

Identifying key issues

To identify project-specific key issues and develop TISG, IAAC considers available information and knowledge, as applicable, including:

  • proponent submissions describing the proposed project, the environment where the project is proposed, and potential effects;
  • information and comments from Indigenous groups, including about potential impacts on Indigenous Peoples and their rights and to Indigenous cultures;
  • Indigenous Knowledge and community knowledge;
  • information, knowledge and comments from federal authorities and other jurisdictions;
  • information and comments from the public;
  • relevant regional assessments and strategic assessments under the IAA;
  • relevant regional studies and potential for cumulative effects;
  • means of other jurisdictions to mitigate or otherwise manage adverse federal effects; and
  • existence of standard mitigation measures.

IAAC takes a risk-based approach to identify key issues. Risk is the combination of the likelihood that an effect would occur and of the severity of consequences that would result from that effect. In cases where uncertainty is high and potential negative consequences severe, IAAC applies the precautionary principle and may require more information and studies from the proponent to reduce the uncertainty. It may also require an in-depth assessment of the potential negative consequences of the effect and how they can be avoided, mitigated or otherwise managed.

Coordinating TISG with other jurisdictions and processes

IAAC works with relevant jurisdictions (e.g. province, Indigenous governing body) to avoid duplication and ensure co-operation where possible, to achieve "one project, one review”. Co-operation can take many forms. Depending on the co-operation approach for a project, TISG may:

  • be jointly issued with other jurisdiction(s);
  • direct the proponent to follow the requirements of other jurisdiction(s); and/or
  • rely on the processes of other jurisdiction(s) to assess or mitigate effects.

In the case of substitution to another jurisdiction, where the federal government relies entirely on another jurisdiction’s assessment process, IAAC does not issue TISG because the other jurisdiction’s process and timelines are followed. In the case of substitution to a harmonized process designed with another jurisdiction, IAAC and the other jurisdiction will determine together how TISG would be developed.

IAAC is committed to recognizing the requirements of other processes – including provincial processes and federal permits – to eliminate duplication.

The proponent is encouraged to develop federal permit applications concurrently with the impact assessment. Collecting and providing permitting information during the impact assessment process will expedite subsequent federal decisions. Early engagement with the federal government, Indigenous communities and the public is essential to support an efficient and effective review of federal permits.

Proponent’s role in the development of TISG

Proponents play an active and central role in an efficient impact assessment process and are encouraged to contact IAAC in the early stages of project design and to maintain an open dialogue throughout the impact assessment process.

Proponents can facilitate the impact assessment process by clearly describing their project and its potential effects, developing strong relationships with Indigenous groups, understanding relevant legislative and regulatory requirements and being committed to continued engagement with Indigenous groups, local communities, the public and jurisdictions with relevant regulatory authorities. Early engagement helps proponents design well-defined projects and supports the early resolution of issues raised.

To support the efficient tailoring of TISG and an accelerated impact assessment, proponents are encouraged to provide information to IAAC as early as possible on:

  • the project, including project activities and components;
  • effects from the project on the natural and human environments, identifying effects pathways and potential key issues;
  • how effects can be avoided, mitigated or otherwise managed, including through project design (e.g. technology, avoidance of sensitive areas), proponent commitments or other existing means;
  • completed or planned studies and methods to describe baseline conditions and assess effects; and
  • concerns raised by Indigenous groups, the public and relevant jurisdictions.

IAAC is committed to supporting proponents to effectively prepare for entry into the impact assessment process by providing guidance and by playing a coordination role with relevant federal authorities.

Opportunity for proponent to develop draft TISG

Proponents can choose to develop draft TISG for their project prior to entering the impact assessment process. Proponents pursuing this option should use the TISG Template as the starting point and follow the tailoring guidance and instructions embedded in the template.

In developing draft TISG, proponents should consider how to assess and mitigate the adverse federal effects likely to result from their project taking into consideration feedback received through their engagement to date. In addition, proponents should consider where additional information and studies may be required to inform the impact assessment and what is already covered by existing information (e.g. existence of relevant standard mitigation measures) or will be available through other means (e.g. final Initial Project Description, requirements of other jurisdictions, regulatory frameworks through which mitigation measures will be implemented).

IAAC will provide proponents with support and guidance to develop draft TISG, including to identify the potential adverse federal effects from their project and the key issues. IAAC will always finalize the TISG, building off the proponent’s draft.

Indigenous groups, the public and federal authorities’ role in the development of TISG

TISG are informed by a public comment period on a proponent’s Initial Project Description which helps inform key issues arising from the project. As part of the public comment period, IAAC invites those interested or potentially impacted by a project to provide comments and indicate key issues relevant to them. IAAC may also carry out additional targeted engagement activities.

To inform the development of TISG, IAAC will consult and engage with Indigenous groups to understand the potential impacts of a project on Indigenous Peoples and their rights, as well as the concerns of Indigenous groups and potential solutions. The incorporation of issues identified by Indigenous groups, along with the consideration of Indigenous Knowledge, also provides an early opportunity for the Crown to demonstrate its commitment to reconciliation, respond meaningfully to Indigenous concerns, and lay the groundwork for respectful, two-way dialogue throughout the impact assessment process.

Expert federal authorities are also key contributors to the development of the TISG. IAAC encourages federal authorities to provide it with information and knowledge focused on the project-specific key issues and how they can be resolved. This helps IAAC to issue TISG that are commensurate with the risk for adverse federal effects.

IAAC will consider all comments and input received to issue final TISG tailored to each project.

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2026-07-27