Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines Template (generic version)

For designated projects subject to the Impact Assessment Act

Version 2.2 - Revised December 2022

This is a draft document. Contents may change as a result of ongoing engagement and feedback received. Please check back regularly for updates.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Short Forms

the Act
Impact Assessment Act
the Agency
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
BAT/BEP
Best Available Technologies / Best Environmental Practices
BCRs
Bird Conservation Regions
CAAQS
Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards
CCME
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
COPC
Contaminant of Potential Concern
COSEWIC
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
ECCC
Environment and Climate Change Canada
GBA Plus
Gender Based Analysis Plus
the Guidelines
Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines
GHG
Greenhouse gas
HHRA
Human Health Risk Assessment
LSA
Local Study Area
Minister
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
NAAQO
National Ambient Air Quality Objective
OCAP
Ownership, Control, Access and Possession
OHWM
Ordinary High Water Mark
PA
Project Area
PAH
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Registry
Canadian Impact Assessment Registry
RSA
Regional Study Area
SARA
Species at Risk Act
SACC
Strategic Assessment of Climate Change
the Template
Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines Template
VC
Valued component
VOC
Volatile organic compound

Using the Template

Instructions for using the template are shown in grey boxes, which are to be removed in project-specific Guidelines issued to proponents.

A key element for the federal impact assessment process is the introduction of Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (the Guidelines), which will provide direction and requirements for the proponent in preparing an Impact Statement. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) will tailor the Guidelines for each designated project during the Planning phase of the impact assessment. Tailoring is based on the nature, complexity and context of the project, and is informed and guided by the Initial and Detailed Project Description and by consultation and engagement with the public, Indigenous groups, lifecycle regulators, jurisdictions, federal authorities (FAs) and other participants during the Planning phase.

The following Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines Template (the Template) is the starting point for the tailoring process, which will ultimately lead to the Guidelines for a project. The Template sets out a comprehensive list of potential information requirements that may be included in the Guidelines. The Template is intentionally written to be broad and inclusive of the information requirements for a wide range of project types and is intended to support a holistic impact assessment that recognizes that projects will have both adverse and positive effects. The Template is meant to facilitate the tailoring process, to provide transparency, and to maintain consistency among Guidelines. It is also provided so proponents can be aware of what information may be required in an Impact Statement.

Through the tailoring process, the Agency identifies the project-specific information requirements necessary for a proponent to submit a complete and detailed Impact Statement. The Agency will remove information requirements in the template that are not relevant to the project. The Agency will also adjust the level of detail for specific information requirement(s), based on the anticipated relevance to the impact assessment. Additional information requirements beyond what are identified in the Template may be included in the Guidelines for individual projects, where required.

For projects subject to the Canadian Energy Regulator Act or the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the Guidelines will also integrate applicable permitting or licensing requirements from those Acts.

During the Planning phase, draft Guidelines will be posted to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry) for public comment. The final Guidelines are issued to the proponent along with the Notice of Commencement, and are posted to the Registry so the process is clear and transparent for all participants.

1. Introduction

The federal impact assessment process serves as a planning tool that considers a broad range of potential environmental, health, social and economic effects of designated projects identified by regulation or designated by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (the Minister). The Agency or a review panel uses the proponent’s Impact Statement and other information received during the impact assessment process to prepare an Impact Assessment Report. At the end of the impact assessment process, the decision made is whether the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, and the adverse direct or incidental effects, are in the public interest. Under section 2 of the Impact Assessment Act (the Act), the effects within federal jurisdiction are defined as:

  1. a change to the following components of the environment that are within the legislative authority of Parliament:
    1. fish and fish habitat, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Fisheries Act,
    2. aquatic species, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Species at Risk Act,
    3. migratory birds, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and
    4. any other component of the environment that is set out in Schedule 3;
  2. a change to the environment that would occur
    1. on federal lands,
    2. in a province other than the one where the physical activity or the designated project is being carried out, or
    3. outside Canada;
  3. with respect to the Indigenous peoples of Canada, an impact — occurring in Canada and resulting from any change to the environment — on
    1. physical and cultural heritage,
    2. the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, or
    3. any structure, site or thing that is of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance;
  4. any change occurring in Canada to the health, social or economic conditions of the Indigenous peoples of Canada; and
  5. any change to a health, social or economic matter that is within the legislative authority of Parliament that is set out in Schedule 3 of the Act.

And the direct or incidental effects are defined as effects that are directly linked or necessarily incidental to a federal authority’s exercise of a power or performance of a duty or function that would permit the carrying out, in whole or in part, of a physical activity or designated project, or to a federal authority’s provision of financial assistance to a person for the purpose of enabling that activity or project to be carried out, in whole or in part.

The public interest determination must be based on the Impact Assessment Report from the Agency or a review panel and consider the factors set out in section 63 of the Act:

  1. the extent to which the project contributes to sustainability;
  2. the extent to which the adverse effects within federal jurisdiction and the adverse direct or incidental effects that are indicated in the Impact Assessment Report in respect of the project are significant;
  3. the implementation of the mitigation measures that the Minister or the Governor in Council, as the case may be, considers appropriate;
  4. the impact that the project may have on any Indigenous peoples and any adverse impact that the designated project may have on the rights of the Indigenous peoples Footnote 1 of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982; and
  5. the extent to which the effects of the project hinder or contribute to the Government of Canada’s ability to meet its environmental obligations and its commitments in respect of climate change.

A key element for the impact assessment process is the preparation of Tailored Impact Statement GuidelinesFootnote 2 (the Guidelines), which provide the proponent with directions and requirements for the preparation of an Impact Statement. The [draft] Guidelines for [Name of Project] (the project) proposed by [Name of Proponent] (the proponent), were tailored by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) during the Planning phase of the impact assessment. The tailoring was based on the nature, complexity and context of the project, and was informed and guided by consultation and engagement with [select those that have been engaged to date] [the proponent, the public, Indigenous groups, lifecycle regulators, jurisdictions, federal authorities (FAs) and other interested parties].

[Add if aligning with a provincial process] In order to support the Government of Canada’s objective of "one project, one assessment," the Guidelines have also been tailored to identify where the federal and provincial assessment processes have shared information needs. While the information requirements may be shared, the impact assessment will respect the jurisdiction of each governing body.

[Add for draft Guidelines] The Guidelines will be finalized following a comment period on this draft version of the Guidelines, which will run from XXX to XXX.

1.1. Factors to be considered in the impact assessment

The Guidelines correspond to factors to be considered in the impact assessment. These factors are listed in subsection 22(1) of the Act and prescribe that the impact assessment of a designated project must take into account:

  1. the changes to the environment or to health, social or economic conditions and the positive and negative consequences of these changes that are likely to be caused by the carrying out of the designated project, including:
    1. the effects of malfunctions or accidents that may occur in connection with the designated project,
    2. any cumulative effects that are likely to result from the designated project in combination with other physical activities that have been or will be carried out, and
    3. the result of any interaction between those effects;
  2. mitigation measures that are technically and economically feasible and that would mitigate any adverse effects of the designated project;
  3. the impact that the designated project may have on any Indigenous group and any adverse impact that the designated project may have on the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
  4. the purpose of and need for the designated project;
  5. alternative means of carrying out the designated project that are technically and economically feasible, including through the use of best available technologies, and the effects of those means;
  6. any alternatives to the designated project that are technically and economically feasible and are directly related to the designated project;
  7. Indigenous knowledge provided with respect to the designated project;
  8. the extent to which the designated project contributes to sustainability;
  9. the extent to which the effects of the designated project hinder or contribute to the Government of Canada’s ability to meet its environmental obligations and its commitments in respect of climate change;
  10. any change to the designated project that may be caused by the environment;
  11. the requirements of the follow-up program in respect of the designated project;
  12. considerations related to Indigenous cultures with respect to the designated project;
  13. community knowledge provided with respect to the designated project;
  14. comments received from the public;
  15. comments from a jurisdiction that are received in the course of consultations conducted under section 21 of the Act;
  16. any relevant assessment referred to in sections 92, 93 or 95 of the Act;
  17. any assessment of the effects of the designated project that is conducted by or on behalf of an Indigenous governing body and that is provided with respect to the designated project;
  18. any study or plan that is conducted or prepared by a jurisdiction—or an Indigenous governing body not referred to in paragraph (f) or (g) of the definition jurisdiction in section 2 of the Act—that is in respect of a region related to the designated project and that has been provided with respect to the project;
  19. the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors; and
  20. any other matter relevant to the IA that the Agency requires to be taken into account.

The scope of the factors in paragraphs 22(1)(a) to (f), (h) to (l), (s) and (t) that are to be taken into account, including the extent of their relevance to the impact assessment, is determined by the Agency and is outlined in the Guidelines.

[If project has been referred to a panel] The impact assessment of the project has been referred to an independent review panel by the Minister. In accordance with paragraph 22(1)(t) of the Act, any other matter relevant to the impact assessment that the Agency would require to be taken into account would be detailed in the Terms of Reference for the review panel.

1.2. Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

For consideration of the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors (paragraph 22(1)(s) of the Act), the Guidelines will refer to Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus). GBA Plus is an analytical process that can guide practitioners to identify who is impacted by a project and assess how they may experience impacts differently, in order to develop mitigation measures to address these differential impacts. These Guidelines refer to "diverse subgroups" in the context of GBA Plus, in reference to groups within the general population and within communities (e.g. by sex, gender, age, ethnicity, indigeneity, socioeconomic status, health status and any other community-relevant identify factors). The Agency’s Guidance: Gender-Based Analysis Plus in Impact Assessment provides guiding principles and tools to apply GBA Plus in the Impact Statement.

To support GBA Plus, the information provided in the Impact Statement must:

Quantitative information, including gender sensitive data, should be complemented by qualitative insights from studies or consultations, and other sources. The description of effects should be based on both data collected and concerns expressed through engaging with the affected Indigenous groups and community members.

1.3. Preparing the Impact Statement

In the preparation of the Impact Statement, the proponent must adhere to relevant ethical guidelines and cultural protocols governing research, data collection and confidentiality. This is particularly important in the case of information gathered and studies conducted with diverse subgroups. The proponent must respect the obligation of protecting personal information and adopt the established standards for the management of Indigenous data (e.g. the First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP) or standards adopted by an Indigenous group) and disaggregated data from small or unique populations.

The proponent may present the information in the Impact Statement in the manner it deems most appropriate. While the Guidelines do not prescribe a preferred structure for the Impact Statement, it is recommended to follow a structure similar to the Guidelines in order to facilitate the review of the Impact Statement and participation in the process. In order to facilitate the review of the Impact Statement, the proponent must provide a table of concordance that indicates where each requirement of the Guidelines is addressed.

The Impact Statement must address all requirements outlined in the Guidelines. Where the proponent is of the opinion that the information is not required, it should contact the Agency to confirm the rationale for not including it prior to submitting the Impact Statement. The rationale for not including the information must also be provided in the Impact Statement. The proponent should also notify the Agency of any changes made to the project as originally proposed in the Detailed Project Description that may result in a different set of effects and may require a reconsideration of information requirements.

The Agency is available to support the proponent during the preparation of the Impact Statement and may establish technical advisory groups, consisting of FAs and others, as appropriate. The proponent is encouraged to engage the Agency early in the process to clarify requirements and expectations as presented in the Guidelines. The proponent should also consider submitting documents for review (e.g. proposed study plans, draft sections of the Impact Statement) prior to submitting the formal Impact Statement. Active engagement will support early identification and resolution of issues.

The Agency will review the submitted Impact Statement, and will engage with FAs, jurisdictions, Indigenous groups and other participants to identify any deficiencies in the information provided, in comparison to the Guidelines, which the proponent must address. When the Agency is satisfied that the proponent has provided it with all of the required information or studies, it will post a notice on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry). The proponent must provide the Agency with the information or studies within three years after the day on which a copy of the Notice of Commencement is posted on the Registry. The time limit will include the time required for the review of the Impact Statement and for the proponent to address any deficiencies. On the proponent’s request, the Agency may extend the time limit by any period that is necessary for the proponent to provide the Agency with the information or studies. If the proponent does not provide the Agency with the information or studies within the three-year time limit, or within any extension of that time limit, the impact assessment is terminated.

1.4. Format and accessibility

The impact assessment must be based on information that is publicly accessible, within the limitations of confidentiality and ethical constraints, such as in relation to Indigenous and community knowledge, business confidential information, and intellectual property. The proponent must provide a summary for the documents that served as key references in the Impact Statement that are not otherwise publicly accessible, or consider appending them to the Impact Statement. Any information provided by the proponent in the Impact Statement must be in machine-readable, accessible format.

Where information is required or is provided as a map in the Impact Statement, the proponent must also provide the Agency with the corresponding electronic geospatial data file(s). The Agency will make the geospatial data files available to the public under the terms of the Open Government Licence – Canada. Geospatial data files must include metadata that are compliant with the ISO 19115 standard and, at a minimum, provide:

The proponent should review the Agency’s Guidance on submitting geospatial data for more information.

The proponent should curate all data collected and analyses performed in such a way that they may be made available to participants or the Agency upon request. The Agency or the Review Panel may require specific data sets to support review of the Impact Statement or for the impact assessment.

The proponent should be prepared to provide:

These requirements will support of the Government of Canada’s commitment to Open Science and Data and would facilitate the sharing of information with the public through the Registry and the Government of Canada’s Open Science and Data Platform. The proponent should contact the Agency to obtain additional direction regarding the format and distribution of the Impact Statement.

2. Proponent Information

2.1. The proponent

The Impact Statement must:

2.2. Qualifications of individuals preparing the Impact Statement

In support of transparency, the Impact Statement must:

A qualified individual would include someone who may be relied on by the proponent to provide advice within their area of expertise, as demonstrated by:

The Agency also expects proponents to demonstrate scientific integrity in their preparation and delivery of Impact Statements by:

Proponents are expected to demonstrate their adherence to these methods and processes within their Impact Statement. For example, it is expected that proponents provide information on data collection methods, sources of information and knowledge, and the completeness of the data provided, including any identified gaps and the nature of these gaps. Furthermore, proponents are expected to identify how they have responded to scientific uncertainty and potential bias in their Impact Statement.

3. Project Description

3.1. Project overview

The Impact Statement must describe the project, key project components and ancillary activities, scheduling details, the timing of each phase of the project, the total lifespan of the project and other key features. If the project is part of a larger sequence of projects, the Impact Statement must outline the larger context.

The Impact Statement must also:

3.2. Project location

The Impact Statement must describe the project’s location, the geographical setting and the socio-ecological context in which the project is to take place. The description should focus on aspects of the project and its setting that are important in order to understand the potential environmental, health, social and economic effects and impacts of the project. The following information must be included and, where appropriate, located on map(s):

3.3. Regulatory framework and the role of government

The Impact Statement must identify:

3.4. Project components and activities

The Impact Statement must:

At a minimum, the Impact Statement must describe the following components and activities:

3.5. Workforce requirements

The Impact Statement must describe the anticipated labour requirements, employee programs and policies, and workforce development opportunities for the designated project, including:

Workforce requirements must take GBA Plus into consideration. The information must be presented in sufficient detail to analyze how historically excluded or underrepresented groups will be taken into account, including Indigenous groups and other relevant diverse subgroups.

4. Project Purpose, Need and Alternatives Considered

The proponent must identify the purpose of and need for the project. The proponent must also analyze alternatives to the project and alternative means of carrying it out. The proponent should consult the Agency guidance documents Guidance: "Need for," "Purpose of," "Alternatives to" and "Alternative Means" and Policy Context: "Need for," "Purpose of," "Alternatives" and "Alternative Means"

4.1. Purpose of the project

The Impact Statement must outline what is to be achieved by carrying out the project. The Impact Statement should broadly classify the project (e.g. transportation, electricity supply, mineral extraction) and indicate the target market (e.g. international, domestic, local), where applicable. The purpose of statement should include any objectives the proponent has in carrying out the project. The proponent is encouraged to consider the perspectives of participants (i.e. public, Indigenous groups, governments) in establishing objectives that relate to the intended effect of the project on society.

4.2. Need for the project

The Impact Statement must describe the underlying opportunity or issue that the project intends to seize or solve and should be described from the perspective of the proponent. In many cases, the need for the project can be described in terms of the demand for a resource. The information provided should make it possible to reasonably conclude that there is an opportunity or issue that warrants a response and that the proposed project is an appropriate approach.

The description must include:

4.3. Alternatives to the project

The Impact Statement must provide a description of the alternatives to the project that are technically and economically feasible to meet the project need and achieve the project purpose, from the perspective of the proponent. The process of identifying and considering alternatives to the project must consider the views, information and knowledge from Indigenous groups potentially impacted by the project and other participants, as well as existing studies and reports.

The Impact Statement must present a rationale for selecting the proposed project over other options, which includes how sustainability principles (described in Section 17 - Extent to which the project contributes to sustainability) were considered. The analysis of alternatives to the project should serve to validate that the preferred alternative for the project is a reasonable approach to meeting the need and purpose and is consistent with the aims of the Act.

The Impact Statement must describe, at a minimum, the following alternatives to the project:

If sufficient information was provided in the Planning phase to demonstrate that there are no "alternatives to" the project that are technically and economically feasible to meet the need for the project and achieve its purpose, then the Guidelines should (a) include the rationale from the Detail Project Description, (b) state that no additional information is required, and (c) require that the information contained in the Detail Project Description be included in the Impact Statement.

4.4. Alternative means of carrying out the project

The Impact Statement must identify and consider the potential environmental, health, social and economic effects and the impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples of alternative means of carrying out the designated project that are technically and economically feasible.

For the selection of the alternative means of carrying out the project, the Impact Statement must describe:

The Impact Statement must then describe:

In its alternative means analysis, the Impact Statement must address key project elements, including, but not limited to, the following, where relevant to the project:

For mine waste management facilities, an assessment of alternatives must be conducted in such a way that it clearly demonstrates that the chosen location is the most appropriate option for mine waste disposal from environmental, technical, economic, social and health perspectives. The assessment of alternatives shall include the following steps with all supporting documents and/or references (see Guidelines for the assessment of alternatives for mine waste disposal - Canada.ca:

  1. Identification of candidate alternatives (including threshold criteria)
  2. Pre-screening assessment
  3. Alternatives characterization (including environmental, technical, economical and social considerations)
  4. Multiple accounts ledger (including the determination and evaluation of impacts generated by each option)
  5. Value-based decision process
  6. Sensitivity analysis

As relevant, the alternatives to and alternative means assessments should be informed by, but not limited to, the following:

5. Description of Public Participation and Views

The proponent must engage with local communities and stakeholders. Engagement activities should be inclusive and ensure that interested members of the public have an opportunity to share their views. They should also consider the language needs, with regards to official languages, of the people being engaged. Particular attention must be paid to the engagement of individuals and communities that have rights and interests in the lands affected by the proposed project.

The proponent should consult Agency guidance documents on this topic, particularly: Framework: Public Participation Under the Impact Assessment Act, and Guidance: Public Participation under the Impact Assessment Act.

5.1. Summary of public engagement activities

The Impact Statement must describe the proponent’s public engagement activities regarding the designated project, including:

5.2. Analysis and response to questions, comments and issues raised

The Impact Statement must:

6. Description of Engagement with Indigenous Groups

The proponent must engage with Indigenous groups at the earliest reasonable opportunity, in order to identify and understand the potential impacts of the project on Indigenous peoples and their rights, including their lands, territories and resources, and to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into the impact assessment. Engagement with Indigenous groups is required to inform the impact assessment and identify measures to avoid or minimize potential impacts on Indigenous peoples and their rights from the project. This engagement may also identify potential positive outcomes, including measures that could improve the underlying baseline conditions that support the exercise of rights. Ideally, the project will be designed not only in such a way as to minimize its negative effects, but also to maximize its positive impact on the quality of life of Indigenous peoples.

As part of an impact assessment process under the Act, the proponent must collaborate with Indigenous groups in completing its Impact Statement. For the purposes of the Impact Statement, the proponent must:

The engagement efforts should be consistent with the Government of Canada’s commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration) as a comprehensive international human rights instrument and Canada’s roadmap for reconciliation. The Declaration emphasizes the importance of recognizing and upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples and ensuring that there is effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous groups in decisions that affect them, their communities and territories. The Declaration also emphasizes the need to work together in partnership and respect, as articulated through the principle of free, prior and informed consent. This principle reflects working together in good faith on decisions that impact Indigenous peoples, with the intention to achieve consensus.

Engagement should also be consistent with jurisprudence and best practices in respect of implementing the common law duty to consult. The Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan identifies Indigenous communities that the Crown will consult with to understand the concerns and potential impacts of the project on their exercise of potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights and, where appropriate, make accommodations. The degree of engagement with each community will vary and in general, will be proportionate to the evidence provided by Indigenous groups regarding potential pathways of impact from the project on Aboriginal or Treaty rights. Engagement is also conducted for other purposes, including as an opportunity to learn about and further explore Indigenous community interests in a project, or to understand other potential project effects not directly related to the exercise of Aboriginal or Treaty rights.

Engagement with Indigenous groups must involve ongoing information sharing and collaboration between the proponent and Indigenous groups to contribute to the development and validation of conclusions and assessment findings related to potential impacts and pathways of effects to Indigenous peoples and impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples. The results of any engagement with each Indigenous group must be presented in the Impact Statement, and, as best as possible, convey the perspective of the Indigenous groups being engaged. The record of engagement and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in the Impact Statement should demonstrate that the proponent sought to build consensus and obtained the agreement from specific Indigenous groups regarding information specifically pertaining to those Indigenous groups that is presented in the Impact Statement.

The Agency notes that not all Indigenous groups may be willing to collaborate with the proponent, therefore the proponent must demonstrate that they have made best efforts at collaboration, and provide the Agency with an explanation regarding circumstances where collaboration was not possible. The proponent should continue sharing information and analyses with the Indigenous groups, to use publicly available sources of information to support the assessment, and to document their efforts in that respect.

The proponent must consult the Agency’s guidance documents on Indigenous participation and engagement throughout the Impact Statement, which are available on the Agency’s website and are listed in Appendix 2 – Indigenous engagement resources.

6.1. Indigenous knowledge considerations

Indigenous knowledgeFootnote 4 is holistic and when integrated in impact assessment, it informs the assessment on areas including the biophysical environment, as well as social, cultural, economic and health aspects, Indigenous governance, resource use, and mitigation. Indigenous knowledge should be brought together on equitable footing with scientific or technical aspects to inform the impact assessment including the environmental, health, social, economic and rights assessments and best practices and mitigation. It is important that Indigenous knowledge, where available to the proponent, be included for all of these aspects in the impact assessment, not only to look at potential impacts of the project on Indigenous groups. It is also important to capture the context in which Indigenous groups provide their Indigenous knowledge and to convey it in a culturally appropriate manner.

Community-specific engagement protocols and procedures around Indigenous knowledge in assessment processes should be understood, respected and implemented. The Impact Statement must indicate where input from Indigenous groups, including Indigenous knowledge, has been incorporated and how it was considered. Information should be specific to the individual Indigenous group(s) involved in the assessment and describe contextual information about the members within an Indigenous group (e.g. women, men, Elders and youth).

The proponent must indicate where Indigenous knowledge that was provided was not included in the assessment and provide a rationale.

Indigenous knowledge, whether publicly available or directly shared with the proponent, should not be included without written consent and validation from the Indigenous community, regardless of the source of the Indigenous knowledge. The guidance document Protecting Confidential Indigenous Knowledge under the Impact Assessment Act, to which the proponent must refer, describes the approaches to be favoured. Appropriate, culturally based Indigenous methodology for integrating Indigenous knowledge and community input into the impact assessment is necessary to appropriately and ethically assess potential effects and significance of those effects from an Indigenous perspective.

6.2. Record of engagement

The Impact Statement must provide a record of engagement that describes all efforts, successful and unsuccessful, taken to seek the views of each potentially affected Indigenous group with respect to the designated project. This record of engagement is to include all engagement activities undertaken prior to the submission of the Impact Statement.

At a minimum, the proponent must engage with the Indigenous groups identifiedFootnote 5 by the Crown in the Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan issued along with the Notice of Commencement for the project. The purpose of this engagement is to gain an understanding of the issues and concerns of potentially affected Indigenous groups, and to inform an assessment of the potential adverse impacts of the project on Indigenous peoples and their rights.

The record of engagement in the Impact Statement must include:

The record of engagement must demonstrate that the capacity needs of Indigenous groups were taken into account, and that timelines were adequately communicated and flexible enough to ensure Indigenous groups had the ability to review and gain understanding of information in the Impact Statement, including, where applicable, specific procedures for contributing information for sections of the Impact Statement. It is expected that the engagement activities for the preparation of the Impact Statement will be carried out with integrity and transparency, without conflicts of interest, in good faith, and conducted in a manner that is attentive to the concerns of Indigenous groups and committed to producing mutually beneficial outcomes.

6.3. Analysis and response to questions, comments, and issues raised

The Impact Statement must provide an analysis of any potential effects to Indigenous groups and impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples and of all the input received from Indigenous groups with respect to the project, including its contribution to cumulative effects. This analysis is to include all input received by Indigenous groups prior to, and since commencing, the impact assessment process. This analysis should serve to inform the identification of potential effects and impacts on any applicable VCs, impacts on Indigenous peoples and their rights, and proposed measures to mitigate or accommodate for adverse impacts, enhance or optimize positive effects.

The analysis may be summarized in the relevant section on effects to a VC. The location and level of detail of the information in the Impact Statement will depend on its importance to the selected VCs.

It is recommended that the proponent organize and analyze information relevant to Indigenous groups in separate sections for each one potentially affected by the project, either by nation, community, or other grouping based on the preference expressed by those people. Where applicable, the information and analysis must also be sufficiently disaggregated to support the GBA Plus analysis of disproportionate effects. In all cases, ethical guidelines and culturally appropriate protocols governing research, data collection and confidentiality must be followed.

The Impact Statement must:

6.4. Collaboration with Indigenous peoples following the submission of the Impact Statement

The proponent must explain in the Impact Statement how it plans to continue to work with affected Indigenous peoples during subsequent phases of the impact assessment process and throughout the lifecycle of the project, if it is allowed to proceed. For this section, the proponent may refer to information presented in other sections of the Impact Statement.

The Impact Statement must:

7. Assessment Methodology

7.1. Baseline methodology

The Impact Statement must provide a description of the baseline for the environmental, health, social and economic conditions related to the project. This should include the existing environmental, health, social and economic conditions, interrelations and interactions among them, and the variability in these conditions over time scales and spatial boundaries appropriate to the project. Meaningful, two-way dialogue with communities and Indigenous groups provides input that may describe how environmental, health, social and economic conditions are interrelated.

Baseline data must be collected in a manner to allow for reliable analysis, extrapolation and predictions. The baseline data should be suitable to estimate pre-project baseline conditions, to predict effects from the project, and to evaluate post-project changes in the conditions within and across the project, local and regional study areas. Further data requirements are included in the specific baseline conditions sections for biophysical environment (Section 8), for the health, social and economic conditions (sections 9, 10,11), and for impacts on Indigenous peoples (Section 12) in the Guidelines.

Ethical guidelines and relevant cultural protocols governing research, data collection and confidentiality must be adhered to. This is particularly important in the case of information gathered and studies conducted with vulnerable subgroups (e.g. analysis of gender-based violence). The proponent must respect the obligation of protecting personal information and adopt the established standards for the management of Indigenous data (e.g. the First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP) or standards adopted by an Indigenous group).

For all baseline conditions, the Impact Statement must:

Proponents are encouraged to consult with the Agency during the development and planning of baseline studies. Relevant sources of baseline information are listed in Appendix 1 - Sources of baseline information.

7.2. Selection of valued components

The Impact Statement must identify the VCs that will serve as the focal points for the impact assessment. VCs consists of components that are of particular concern or value to participants and that may be affected by the project. The value of a component not only relates to its role, but also to the value people place on it.

The Guidelines, in sections 8-13, provide information requirements organized in categories that may be considered as VCs, or may be considered as intermediate components to inform the assessment of VCs, depending on the project. The VCs will help to organize the description of the effects of the project required by the Guidelines. In some sections, the Guidelines identify specific sub-VCs (e.g. specific fish species within fish and fish habitat). The proponent may also identify additional VCs beyond those included in the Guidelines in consultation with Indigenous groups and other participants.

Indigenous groups may identify holistic VCs that encompass the effects on a number of individual environmental, health, social, or economic value components. Where identified, the proponent should structure analysis and presentation of individual VC into an assessment of the overarching Indigenous VC. Proponents are encouraged to work with Indigenous groups to identify holistic VCs, which may increase the efficiency of the assessment and clarity of presentation. In the event that a VC is suggested by an Indigenous group but is excluded from the Impact Statement, the proponent must provide a justification for its exclusion.

In selecting a VC to be included, the following factors should be considered:

The Impact Statement must:

Based on comments from participants during the Planning phase, the following components have been raised as important to consider in the assessment, but it is not exhaustive:

Concerns and interests pertaining to these components have been considered in the Guidelines and are reflected in the information requirements. The proponent is expected to finalize the selection of VCs in consultation with Indigenous groups and other participants. The proponent should engage with participants and refer to comments received in relation to the project on the Registry for additional information to support the selection of VCs.

7.3. Spatial and temporal boundaries

The Impact Statement must establish appropriate spatial and temporal boundaries to describe the baseline conditions for, and to guide the assessment of, each VC. The spatial and temporal boundaries will vary depending on the VC and must be considered separately for each VC.

The proponent must engage with Indigenous groups when defining spatial and temporal boundaries for VCs that are identified by, or related directly to, Indigenous peoples. The Impact Statement must explain how the proponent considered the information received from Indigenous groups in its definition of spatial and temporal boundaries, particularly for VCs related to effects to Indigenous peoples.

The proponent should consider additional guidance for assigning appropriate study areas or boundaries provided in Appendix 1 - Establishing spatial and temporal boundaries.

7.3.1. Spatial boundaries

Generally, it is recommended that the proponent establish three spatial boundaries of study areas to assess the impacts on each VC:

The Impact Statement must:

7.3.2. Temporal boundaries

The Impact Statement must:

7.4. Effects assessment methodology

The Impact Statement must describe the changes to the environment or to the health, social or economic conditions and the positive and negative consequences of these changes (the effects) that are likely to be caused by the carrying out of the project, and the results of interactions among the effects. This includes the effects to Indigenous peoples’ physical and cultural heritage, current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, any structure, site or thing that is of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance, and any change occurring in Canada to the health, social or economic conditions of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. The overall effects assessment methodology must also consider the project’s potential interference with the exercise of rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada as further detailed in Section 12. The description must include the information requirements detailed in specific effects sections in the Guidelines.

The assessment of effects must be based on a comparison of baseline conditions and the predicted future conditions with the project. In some cases, it may be appropriate to determine future conditions both with, and without, the project, in order to account for potential changes in baseline conditions (e.g. due to climate change or to anticipated changes in socioeconomic conditions). The assessment of effects should also provide the probability or likelihood of that effect occurring, and the degree of confidence in the analysis. The assessment of effects must use methods that are statistically and scientifically defensible and must describe the degree of uncertainty related to the data and methods used and reflect community and Indigenous knowledge if it is available.

After considering the technically and economically feasible mitigation measures (see Section 7.5 Mitigation and enhancement measures), the Impact Statement must describe any residual environmental, health, social or economic effects of the project. The assessment of residual effects must also take into account interactions between the project and past, existing and reasonably foreseeable projects or physical activities to be carried out, as described in Section 7.6 Cumulative effects assessment.

Depending on the VC, the description of the effects can be either a qualitative or quantitative, taking into account any important contextual factors, as appropriate. The Impact Statement may describe the effects in terms of magnitude, geographic extent, timing, duration and frequency, and whether effects are reversible or irreversible. For some effects, it may be more appropriate to use other criteria, such as the nature of the effects, directionality, causation and probability. The ecological and socioeconomic context should also be provided. The perception of the same effect may vary among different individuals, groups and communities. Consequently, the effect assessment should take into account views and concerns expressed through engagement with Indigenous peoples and community members.

The Impact Statement must:

7.5. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must identify measures that are technically and economically feasible and that would mitigate the project’s adverse environmental, health, social and economic effects. The proponent may also identify enhancement measures to increase positive effects, such as local and regional training efforts, investment in infrastructure and services, and projects to rehabilitate degraded environments.

If there is an ongoing or completed regional assessment in the proposed project area, the proponent should use the information generated through that process to inform possible mitigation and enhancement measures.

For more guidance on developing mitigation measures see Appendix 1 - Developing mitigation measures and enhancements.

The Impact Statement must:

For each mitigation measure identified, the Impact Statement must:

In addition to the general requirements above, additional requirements and recommended mitigation measures are shown in the specific mitigation subsections that follow. The proponent may propose measures that differ from the specific requirements and recommendations. In which case, the proponent must provide a rationale. For example, the proponent could propose measures viewed as better suited to the anticipated effects than those listed in the Guidelines.

7.6. Cumulative effects assessment

The proponent must assess the project’s cumulative effects using the approach described in the Agency’s guidance documents related to cumulative effects. The proponent should consult the Agency guidance Assessing Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012). The best practices described in this document also apply to the assessment of cumulative effects under the Act, as applicable.

Cumulative effects are defined as changes to the environment, health, social, cultural and economic conditions, as a result of the project’s residual effects combined with the effects of other past, existing and reasonably foreseeable projects and physical activities. Cumulative effects may result if:

A cumulative effect on an environmental, health, social or economic component or an Indigenous community or the rights of Indigenous peoples may be important even if the project’s incremental effects to these components by themselves are minor. Activities from the project itself that generate multiple emissions and discharges (e.g. simultaneous operations) may also need to be considered in the cumulative effects analysis to understand synergistic, compensatory, masking or additive effects.

The Impact Statement must:

The cumulative effects assessment must include consideration of cumulative effects in relation to the ability of Indigenous peoples to exercise their rights and culture. Both the content and means of presenting this information is to be developed in consultation with each potentially impacted Indigenous group. Proponents must collaborate with Indigenous groups in assessing the cumulative effects of the project on the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. If Indigenous groups do not wish to participate in the cumulative effects assessment, the proponent should continue sharing information and analyses with the Indigenous groups, to use publicly available sources of information to support the assessment, and to document their efforts in that respect.

The Government of Canada has developed the Open Science and Data Platform as a means to access science, data, publications and information about development activities to better understand cumulative effects. Proponents are encouraged to make use of this resource in their cumulative effects analysis.

7.7. Extent to which effects are significant

For adverse effects within federal jurisdiction and the adverse direct or incidental effects, as defined in section 2 of the Act, the Impact Statement must:

The information provided must be clear and sufficient to enable the Agency, review panel, Indigenous groups, and other participants to evaluate the proponent’s characterization of residual effects and the analysis of the extent to which effects are significant.

The best practices described in the Agency’s technical guidance document for Determining whether a designated project is likely to cause significant adverse effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 may be considered for the characterization of residual effects in the context of the Act, as applicable.

8. Biophysical Environment

In describing effects to the biophysical environment, the Impact Statement must take an ecosystem approach that considers how the project may affect the structure and functioning of biotic and abiotic components within the ecosystem using scientific, community and Indigenous knowledge. The Impact Statement must consider the resilience of relevant species populations, communities and associated habitats to the effects of the project. Ecological processes should be evaluated for potential susceptibility to adverse effects from the project. Considerations include, but are not limited to: patterns and connectivity of habitat patches, continuation of key natural disturbance regimes, structural complexity, hydrogeological or oceanographic patterns, nutrient cycling, abiotic-biotic and biotic interactions, population dynamics, genetic diversity, and Indigenous knowledge relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of relevant species populations, communities and associated habitats.

The presence of endangered ecosystems, rare, limited and/or significant habitat (e.g. federal, provincial or Indigenous protected areas, wildlife sensitivity maps, RAMSAR sites, identified or proposed critical habitat in recovery strategies or action plans) potentially affected by the project should be included the description of the biophysical baseline conditions. The following must be included in relevant sections of the biophysical environment both in written description and on maps:

8.1. Meteorological environment

The Impact Statement must:

8.2. Geology and geological hazards

8.2.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

8.2.2. Effects to geology and geological hazards

The Impact Statement must describe the effects of the project on geology and geological hazards, including:

8.3. Geochemistry of mined or excavated materials

8.3.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

In particular:

8.3.2 Effects to chemical release rates

The Impact Statement must describe the effects of the project on the rate at which chemicals may be released from mined or excavated materials, including:

8.3.3 Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must:

8.4. Topography, soil and sediment

8.4.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

For projects within the permafrost regions:

8.4.2. Effects to Topography, soil and sediment

The Impact Statement must describe all effects of the project on topography, soil and sediment including:

8.5. Atmospheric, acoustic and visual environment

8.5.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

The proponent should consult the additional guidance for atmospheric environment provided in Appendix 1 - Additional guidance for biophysical components.

8.5.2. Effects to the atmospheric, acoustic, and visual environment

The Impact Statement must describe the effects of the project on the atmospheric, acoustic and visual environment, including:

The proponent should refer to Health Canada’s Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessment: Noise and Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessment: Air Quality to ensure that it provides the information and analysis considered necessary to assess the project’s impacts on human health in relation to changes to the sound environment and air quality. It is requested that the proponent complete the checklists provided in these guides (Appendix B in the noise guide and Appendix A in the air quality guide) to assist participants in verifying that the main elements of a noise or air quality impact assessment have been completed and in identifying the location of this information in the Impact Statement. These checklists will facilitate the review of the Impact Statement and will be particularly useful if analyses on these aspects are found in several sections of the Impact Statement.

8.4.3 Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must identify mitigation measures for adverse changes to the atmospheric, acoustic and visual environment or any enhancements for positive effects.

In particular, the Impact Statement must:

8.6. Groundwater and surface water

8.6.1. Baseline conditions

Requirements for the characterization of baseline groundwater and surface water conditions in an Impact Statement will vary depending on the type of project. They will be commensurate in emphasis and detail with potential effects on groundwater and on surface water. Requirements listed here are in a sequence corresponding to the steps of a generic, coupled, groundwater–surface water characterization study.

The Impact Statement must:

Generic surface and ground water requirements

More detailed surface and ground water requirements

8.6.2. Effects to groundwater and surface water

The Impact Statement must:

The proponent should refer to Health Canada’s Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessment: Drinking and Recreational Water Quality to ensure that it provides the information and analysis considered necessary to assess the project’s effects on human health in relation to changes to water quality. It is requested that the proponent complete the checklist provided in this guide (Appendix A) to assist participants in verifying that the main elements of a water quality impact assessment have been completed and in identifying the location of this information in the Impact Statement. This checklist will facilitate the review of the Impact Statement and will be particularly useful if analyses on this aspect are found in several sections of the Impact Statement.

8.6.3. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must:

8.7. Vegetation, riparian and wetland environments

8.7.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

8.7.2. Effects to vegetation, riparian and wetland environments

The Impact Statement must describe the effects of the project on vegetation and the riparian and wetland environments, including:

8.7.3. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must describe the mitigation measures for the potential effects on vegetation and on riparian and wetland environments.

In particular, the Impact Statement must:

8.8. Fish and fish habitat

The proponent should consult the additional guidance for requirements pertaining to fish and fish habitat provided in Appendix 1 – Guidance for biophysical components.

8.8.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

Certain intermittent and ephemeral watercourses or waterbodies may constitute fish habitat or contribute indirectly to fish habitat during a certain period. The absence of fish or water at the time of the survey does not irrefutably indicate an absence of fish and/or fish habitat (e.g. migratory corridor). Similarly, beaver dams and accumulations of woody debris are not considered impassable barriers to fish.

8.8.2. Effects to fish and fish habitat

The Impact Statement must describe the potential effects of the project on fish and fish habitat, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Fisheries Act, and on marine plants, as defined in section 47 of the Fisheries Act. Consider any effects whether they are adverse or positive, direct or indirect, and temporary or permanent, for all phases of the project, including from the release of effluent or the deposit of a deleterious substance to water frequented by fish, for all developmental stages of fish, and other aquatic species. Refer to Section 8.5 Groundwater and surface water for related water quality requirements to inform the assessment.

For each waterbody and watercourse affected by the project, the following must be documented and considered in the determination of effects:

The Impact Statement must:

Additional guidance that should be referenced to support the effects assessment and associated follow up include:

For projects requiring the use of natural waterbodies frequented by fish for the disposal of mine wasteFootnote 9 and/or for the management of process water, an amendment to the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER) will be required. This regulatory process will not be initiated until the proponent has undertaken a detailed assessment of alternatives for mine waste disposal. By fulfilling the requirements of the regulatory authorization during the impact assessment, authorizations may be granted in an accelerated manner. For further guidance, the proponent should consult Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Guidelines for the Assessment of Alternatives for Mine Waste Disposal.

8.8.3. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must describe the mitigation measures for the potential effects on fish and fish habitat and marine plants, including:

The proponent must refer to Fisheries and Oceans Canada guidance and explain how it was applied to the assessment, including the references provided in Appendix 1 - Additional guidance under Compensation and offset plans and fish and fish habitat.

8.9. Birds, migratory birds and their habitat

The proponent should consult the additional guidance for requirements pertaining to birds provided in Appendix 1 – Guidance for biophysical components.

8.9.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

8.9.2. Effects to birds, migratory birds and their habitat

The Impact Statement must:

The proponent should refer to the Government of Canada’s guidance on this topic, including:

8.9.3. Mitigations and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must:

The proponent should refer to the Guidelines to reduce risk to migratory birds and to the General nesting periods for migratory birds, which covers the main nesting periods of migratory birds and reduces the risk of taking their nests or eggs. This recommendation does not authorize the disruption, destruction or taking of a migratory bird, its nest or its eggs outside these periods.

8.10. Terrestrial wildlife and wildlife habitat

The proponent should consult the additional guidance for requirements pertaining to wildlife provided in Appendix 1 - Guidance for biophysical components.

8.10.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

8.10.2. Effects to terrestrial wildlife and their habitat

The Impact Statement must:

The provincial government(s) should be considered a source of information on appropriate methodologies to predict impacts to wildlife.

8.10.3. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must describe the measures for mitigating potential effects on terrestrial wildlife and wildlife habitat, including:

8.11. Species at risk and their habitat

The proponent should consult the additional guidance for requirements pertaining to Species at Risk provided in Appendix 1 - Guidance for biophysical components.

8.11.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

See Appendix 1 - Additional Guidance for Biophysical Components for more guidance on collecting baseline data. The proponent should contact provincial or local government authorities to determine additional data sources and survey methods. A permit under the Species at Risk Act must be obtained prior to conducting surveys on federal lands that are likely to harm, harass, capture or kill species at risk other than migratory birds.

8.11.2. Effects to species at risk and their habitat

The Impact Statement must:

The provincial government(s) should be considered a source of information on appropriate methodologies to predict impacts to wildlife species at risk. With respect to effects on bird species at risk, the information required is presented in Section 8.8 Birds, migratory birds and their habitat.

8.11.3. Mitigation and enhancements measures

The Impact Statement must describe the measures for mitigating potential effects on species at risk and their habitat, including:

With respect to bats:

With respect to caribou:

8.12. Climate change

The following requirements are based on the Strategic Assessment of Climate Change (SACC), developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The proponent must follow the directions and guidance contained in the SACC and the technical guides related to the SACC for each information requirement listed below, including the Guidance on quantification of net GHG emissions, impact on carbon sinks, mitigation measures, net-zero plan and upstream GHG assessment.

8.12.1. GHG emission

With regards to GHG emissions, the Impact Statement must provide:

With regards to upstream emissions (applicable for projects with upstream GHG emissions likely greater than or equal to the thresholds outlined in Table 1 in Section 3.2.2 of the SACC) the impact statement must provide an assessment of the GHG emissions upstream of the project, as described in Section 3.2 of the SACC, which includes the following components:

8.12.2. Carbon sinks

The Impact Statement must provide a quantitative and qualitative description of the project’s positive or negative effects on carbon sinks, which must include:

8.12.3. Impact of the project on federal emissions reduction efforts and on global GHG emissions

With regards to federal emissions reduction efforts and on global GHG emissions, the Impact Statement must provide:

8.12.4. Mitigations for climate change and greenhouse gas emissions

[For projects with a lifetime ending before 2050]

The Impact Statement must describe the mitigation measures that will be taken to minimize GHG emissions throughout all phases of the project, in accordance with Section 5.1.4 of the SACC. Emphasis must be placed on reducing net GHG emissions as early as possible in the project lifespan.

The Impact Statement must provide:

[For projects with a lifetime beyond 2050]

The Impact Statement must include a credible plan that describes the mitigation measures that will be taken to minimize GHG emissions throughout all phases of the project, and achieve net-zero by 2050 (refer to sections 5.1.4 and 5.3 of the SAAC). The plan must demonstrate how the net GHG emission equation (refer to Equation 1 in the SAAC) will equal 0kt C02 eq/year by 2050 and thereafter for the remainder of the lifetime of the project. Emphasis should be placed on minimizing net GHG emissions as early as possible and throughout the project lifespan.

The credible plan must include, at a minimum, the following information:

Recognizing that the status of emerging technologies and implementation of mitigation measures in decades to come could be challenging and uncertain, the plan can describe the process the proponent will follow in order to make the decisions and investments needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

8.13. Marine environment and marine geohazards

8.13.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

8.13.2. Effects to the marine environment

The Impact Statement must describe all the interactions between the project and the marine environment, including:

8.13.3. Mitigation measures

The impact statement must:

8.14. Ambient radioactivity

8.14.1. Baseline conditions

For projects or project-related physical activities that potentially could change the radiological conditions within the study area, the Impact Statement must:

8.14.2. Changes to radiological conditions

For all phases of the project, and where appropriate and integrated into other appropriate sections within the Impact Statement, the Impact Statement must:

8.15. Electromagnetism and corona discharge

For projects that could potentially create increased electromagnetism or corona discharges within the study area (e.g. new high voltage transmission lines) the Impact Statement must:

9. Health Conditions

9.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must describe the current state of physical, mental and social well-being and incorporate a determinants of health approach to move beyond biophysical health considerations. In line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) expanded definition of health, a determinants of health approach recognizes that health is more than the absence of disease but rather a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. The selection of determinants should be guided by the references listed in Appendix 2 – Determinants of Health.

The Impact Statement must:

To understand the community context and baseline health profile, including for Indigenous communities, the Impact Statement must:

Guidance for developing the appropriate baseline information relevant to human health is identified in Appendix 2 – Human health. The proponent should refer to the Health Canada guides to ensure that best practices are followed in collecting baseline information for assessment of the project’s impacts on human health caused by changes in air quality, noise levels, the quality of drinking water and water used for recreational purposes, traditional foods and the multiple contaminant exposure routes. The proponent must justify any omission or deviation from the recommended baseline characterization approaches and methods, including the Health Canada guidelines.

9.2. Effects to human health

The proponent must assess the potential effects of the project on human health. Interconnections between human health and other VCs and interactions between effects must be described. Applying a determinants of health approach in the assessment of human health effects will support the identification of these linkages as well as of disproportionate effects across subgroups.

A dedicated Health Impact Assessment, supported by a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRAFootnote 12), should show an understanding of the project’s health, social, and economic impacts, including on Indigenous peoples and will play a role in understanding the project’s impacts on rights and culture. The proponent should refer to the Agency guidance on Analyzing Health, Social and Economic Effects under the Impact Assessment Act and to Guidance from Health Canada regarding Human Health Impacts and the best practices for the conduct of Health Impact Assessment in Appendix 2 – Human health.

The Impact Statement must:

9.2.1. Biophysical determinants of health

The Impact Statement must:

9.2.2. Determinants of health

The Impact Statement must:

9.2.3. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must describe the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures for any potential effects on human health.

In particular, the Impact Statement must:

The proponent is encouraged to refer to the National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy’s publication entitled Tools and approaches for assessing and supporting public health action on the social determinants of health and health equity.

10. Social Conditions

10.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must describe the existing social conditions for individual communities and Indigenous groups.

The Impact Statement must:

10.1.1. Community profile

To understand the community context, the Impact Statement must prepare community profile(s) and describe:

10.1.2. Land and resource use

The Impact Statement must describe baseline conditions for land and resource use, including:

10.1.3. Services and infrastructure

The Impact Statement must describe the existing local and regional infrastructure facilities in the study area, including:

The Impact Statement must describe the existing local and regional services in the study area, including:

10.1.4. Navigation

The Impact Statement must describe baseline conditions for navigation, including:

10.2. Effects to social conditions

The Impact Statement must assess the adverse and positive effects of the project on social conditions. Interconnections between social VCs and other VCs and interactions between effects must be described.

As applicable to the assessment, the analysis should describe the goals of local or regional land use plans or local or regional development plans and the extent to which the project is aligned with such plans to avoid or enhance social effects. The effects assessment should explore and discuss opportunities by which benefits to local communities can be enhanced.

The proponent should refer to the Agency guidance on Analyzing Health, Social and Economic Effects under the Impact Assessment Act.

10.2.1. Effects to community well-being

The Impact Statement must:

10.2.2. Effects to land and resource use

The Impact Statement must:

Changes to heritage, structures, sites or things of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance specific to Indigenous peoples can be found in Section 12. Indigenous Peoples.

10.2.3. Effects to services and infrastructure

The Impact Statement must:

10.2.4. Navigation

The Impact Statement must:

10.3. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must describe the mitigation and enhancement measures that will be implemented for all potential effects on social VCs. In particular, the Impact Statement must:

11. Economic Conditions

11.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must describe the local and regional economic conditions and trends, including for Indigenous communities, including the following:

11.2. Effects to economic conditions

The Impact Statement must describe potential positive and adverse effects to the local, regional and provincial economies. The assessment of economic effects should take into consideration the temporal scale for construction, operation and beyond and the potential for boom-and-bust cycles associated with the project. The proponent should refer to the Agency guidance on Analyzing Health, Social and Economic Effects under the Impact Assessment Act.

11.2.1. Employment

The Impact Statement must;

11.2.2. Business environment and local economy

The Impact Statement must:

The economic information provided will be made publicly available and should not contain confidential business information

11.3. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must describe the mitigation and enhancement measures that will be implemented for all potential effects on economic conditions, including:

12. Indigenous Peoples

The Impact Statement must provide information on how the project may affect Indigenous peoples, as informed by the Indigenous group(s) involved in the assessment. The proponent should apply Agency guidance on engaging with Indigenous groups and appropriate methodologies for assessing potential effects and impacts on Indigenous peoples and their rights.

The assessment of potential effects must include both adverse and positive effects to the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, to physical and cultural heritage, to structures, sites or things of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance, and to environmental, health, social, cultural and economic conditions of Indigenous peoples affected by the project.

Proponents must engage with Indigenous groups, in order to identify and understand the potential impacts of their projects on Indigenous peoples and their rights, and to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into the impact assessment. Indigenous VCs may be holistic in nature and may encompass the effects on a number of individual environmental, health, social or economic value components. Where holistic VCs are identified, the proponent must combine the analysis of individual VC into an assessment of the holistic VCs identified by Indigenous groups.

Engagement with Indigenous groups is also required to identify proposed measures to avoid, minimize, offset or otherwise accommodate for potential impacts on Indigenous peoples or their rights. This engagement may also identify potential positive outcomes, including enhancement measures that could improve the underlying baseline conditions that support the exercise of rights. Ideally, the project will be designed to minimize negative effects and to maximize positive impact on the quality of life of Indigenous peoples.

Engagement with Indigenous groups must involve ongoing information sharing and collaboration to the extent possible to help validate the information and assessment findings in the Impact Statement. In cases where a specific study addressing elements relevant to the impact assessment of the project has been prepared by an Indigenous group, the proponent must incorporate it into the Impact Statement and explain how it was taken into account. In addition, the proponent must append the full studies, as they were presented by each Indigenous group, except in cases where the information could be confidential in nature.

The proponent must provide an opportunity for Indigenous groups to review the information prior to submission of the Impact Statement. If the information is about an Indigenous group, they must be afforded the opportunity to comment on the information in the Impact Statement and their comments should be included. The Impact Statement must indicate where input from Indigenous groups has been incorporated, including Indigenous knowledge. To the extent possible, information should be specific to the individual Indigenous group(s) involved in the assessment, and describe contextual information about the members within an Indigenous group (e.g. women, men, Elders and youth).

The proponent is also encouraged to work with Indigenous groups who demonstrate an interest in drafting sections of the Impact Statement that concern them, including sections describing Indigenous knowledge, on the subject of current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, on potential impacts to the rights of Indigenous peoples, and for the identification of mitigation or enhancement measures. Where applicable, sections of the Impact Statement prepared by Indigenous groups must be clearly identified. All perspectives and the rationale for different conclusions should be documented in the assessment report.

Where Indigenous groups do not wish to participate, the proponent should continue sharing information and analysis with the Indigenous groups of the potential effects of the project, to document its efforts in that respect, and to use available public sources of information to support the assessment.

12.1. Indigenous physical and cultural heritage, and structures, sites or things of significance

12.1.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must include a description of the baseline conditions associated with physical and cultural heritage and structure, site or thing of significance for Indigenous peoples. This description should give consideration to an understanding of the historical baseline conditions associated with ability to transmit culture (e.g. through language, ceremonies, harvesting, teaching of sacred laws, traditional laws, stewardship laws, traditional knowledge).

Information on heritage and structures, sites and things of significance for Indigenous peoples can include:

The Impact Statement must:

The proponent should consult the Technical Guidance for Assessing Physical and Cultural Heritage or any Structure, Site or Thing on the Agency’s Website.

12.1.2. Effects to Indigenous physical and cultural heritage

The Impact Statement must:

The proponent should consult the Agency’s Technical Guidance for Assessing the Current Use of Lands and Resources for Traditional Purposes under CEAA, 2012.

12.2. Current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes

12.2.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must include information on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes. The proponent should refer to the Technical Guidance for Assessing the Current Use of Lands and Resources for Traditional Purposes under CEAA, 2012, on the Agency’s website.

Where information is publicly available or is provided by Indigenous groups, the Impact Statement must identify and describe:

The information should be provided in sufficient detail to allow analysis of the effects to Indigenous peoples that result from changes to the environment and on health, social and economic conditions.

12.2.2. Effects to current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes

The Impact Statement must:

12.3. Health, social and economic conditions of Indigenous peoples

12.3.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must meet the requirements set out in sections above with regard to the baseline for health, social and economic conditions, which must take into account GBA Plus specific to Indigenous peoples.

The baseline conditions established for Indigenous groups must take into account Indigenous governance regimes and Indigenous laws associated with health and socioeconomic conditions. The baseline conditions should provide community-specific social and economic conditions on a disaggregated basis (without identifying individuals).

12.3.2. Effects to Indigenous health, social and economic conditions

The assessment of these effects to Indigenous peoples must describe and take into account interactions with the effects on physical and cultural heritage, on structures, sites or things of significance, and on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes. For example, an effect on a traditional food may have consequences for the practice of traditional activities, and could lead to an effect on the cost of living, food security, and mental health at the community level or on vulnerable subgroups.

The Impact Statement must:

The proponent should refer to the following guidance:

12.4. Rights of Indigenous peoples

12.4.1. Baseline conditions

The Impact Statement must:

Indigenous groups may also provide their perspective through consultations with the Agency or directly to a Review Panel, and through the establishment of information requirements included in the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines. Indigenous communities must be involved in the baseline characterization of conditions supporting the exercise of rights, as well as the scoping and assessment of the nature and extent of the exercise of rights of Indigenous peoples.

The information related to the rights of Indigenous peoples may include, but is not limited to:

The proponent should consult Agency guidance on engaging Indigenous groups, and the Guidance: Assessment of Potential Impacts on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

12.4.2. Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples

The Impact Statement must describe the level of engagement with Indigenous groups regarding potential impacts of the project on the exercise of rights, and where possible, the project’s potential interference with the exercise of rights. In some instances, the proponent may adopt Indigenous-led assessment of impacts on rights, and include them directly in the Impact Statement.

It is preferable that Indigenous groups have all the information about the project and its potential effects on hand to be able to assess the potential impacts of the project on their rights. The proponent is therefore encouraged to share studies with Indigenous groups prior to assessing the impact of the project on their rights. The proponent must document the approach taken to support Indigenous groups in identifying the potential impacts of the project on their rights, including the hypotheses put forward on the potential effects. Specific Indigenous groups should be provided the opportunity to review assessments of impacts on rights pertaining to those same Indigenous groups. Indigenous groups should also be provided the opportunity to approve use of Indigenous knowledge pertaining to those same Indigenous groups, prior to submission of the Impact Statement to the Agency.

Where an Indigenous group has not provided its views on the impact of the project on their rights to the proponent, or both parties agree that it is better to provide information related to the impact on the exercise of rights directly to the Agency or the review panel, the proponent should describe a rationale for the approach taken to assessing impact on rights. Proponents should discuss with Indigenous groups their views on how best to reflect the assessment of impacts on rights in their Impact Statement. Impacts on rights may be assessed using a methodology identified by Indigenous groups, including community-led assessments, and agreed upon between the Indigenous community and the Agency. This may include supporting Indigenous-led studies and assessments to inform the assessment of effects to Indigenous peoples including on their ability to practise their rights and the resources necessary to support those rights (e.g. for VCs, spatial and temporal boundaries, community health, social conditions and community well-being) that are to be provided publicly and to the Government of Canada.

The proponent must work together with Indigenous groups to find mutually agreeable solutions to concerns raised about a proposed project, especially for those concerns raised by Indigenous peoples about impacts on the exercise of their rights.

The Impact Statement must:

The proponent should consult the following Agency guidance on this topic: the Policy Context: Assessment of Potential Impacts on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Guidance on Assessing Potential Impacts on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The proponent, in collaboration with Indigenous groups, should consider the following factors as relevant:

12.5. Mitigation and enhancement measures

The Impact Statement must:

Where no mitigation measures are proposed or mitigation is not possible, the Impact Statement must describe the potential adverse impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples, as identified by the Indigenous group(s). In addition, the Impact Statement must include perspectives of the potentially impacted Indigenous groups on the effectiveness of particular mitigation measures on such impacts.

13. Effects of Potential Accidents or Malfunctions

The failure of certain works caused by technological malfunctions, human error or exceptional natural events (e.g. flooding, earthquake, forest fire) could cause major effects. If certain events are expected to occur (e.g. minor spills, road accidents), they should be included as expected effects in the previous sections.

13.1. Risk assessment

The Impact Statement must:

13.2. Mitigation measures

The Impact Statement must:

13.3. Emergency management

The Impact Statement must describe an emergency response plan and as part of this plan must:

14. Effects of the Environment on the Project

The Impact Statement must consider and describe how environmental conditions, including natural hazards such as severe and/or extreme weather conditions and external events could adversely affect the project and how this in turn could result in effects to the environment, health, social and economic conditions. These events are to be considered in different probability patterns (e.g. 5-year flood vs. 100-year flood) taking into account how these could change under a range of potential future climate scenarios. The focus should be on credible external events that have a reasonable probability of occurrence and for which the resulting environmental effects could be major without careful management.

The Impact Statement must:

Additional guidance related to conducting climate change resilience assessments is included in the Strategic Assessment of Climate Change.

15. Canada’s Ability to Meet its Environmental Obligations

The Government of Canada, through the Act, recognizes that impact assessment contributes to Canada’s understanding and ability to meet, first, its environmental obligations, and second, its commitments in respect of climate change.

In accordance with paragraph 22(1)(i) of the Act, the Impact Statement should describe the effects of the project in the context of environmental obligations, with a focus on Government of Canada obligations and commitments relevant to decision making.

Federal environmental obligations relevant to this project include:

The Impact Statement must:

With respect to climate change commitments, Section 8.13 Climate change of these Guidelines outline the information required as part of the Impact Statement. The Agency, with the support of federal authorities, will provide a supplementary analysis on the project’s GHG emissions in the context of Canada’s emissions targets and forecasts (see Section 6 of the SACC). Although it is not required, the proponent may provide its views in the Impact Statement on the extent to which the effects of the project would hinder or contribute to the Government of Canada’s ability to meet its commitments in respect of climate change in order to inform the impact assessment.

The proponent should refer to the Agency’s guidance documents on this topic, including the document Policy Context: Considering Environmental Obligations and Commitments in Respect of Climate Change under the Impact Assessment Act.

16. Extent to Which the Project Contributes to Sustainability

Under the Act, one of the factors that must be considered in impact assessments is the extent to which a project contributes to sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to protect the environment, contribute to the social and economic well-being of the people of Canada and preserve their health in a manner that benefits present and future generations. Sustainability is a lens to be applied throughout the impact assessment, beginning in Planning phase. Information and data requirements to inform the sustainability analysis should be considered from the outset of the impact assessment.

The sustainability analysis will consider the potential effects of a project through the application of the following principles:

The application of the principles will result in better information on the effects of the project, including long-term effects on future generations and the interaction of effects, and may help to identify additional mitigation measures and enhancements. The proponent should refer to the Agency’s guidance on this topic: Guidance: Considering the Extent to which a Project Contributes to Sustainability.

The Impact Statement must provide an analysis of the extent to which the project contributes to sustainability. The analysis should be qualitative but may draw on quantitative data to provide context, and should follow the methodology outlined in the Guidance: Considering the Extent to which a Project Contributes to Sustainability and must:

17. Follow-up Programs

Follow-up programs are put in place by the proponent to verify the accuracy of the impact assessment and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Through the conditions in the decision statement, the proponent is required to develop a follow-up program in consultation with relevant authorities and Indigenous groups and to submit to the Agency the results of monitoring efforts. Monitoring is a key component of follow-up programs and can identify the potential for environmental, health, social or economic degradation during all phases of project development. Monitoring can also assist in developing clearly defined action plans and emergency response procedures to account for environmental, health, social and economic protection.

The proponent should develop expected outcomes for their follow-up programs, in consultation with relevant authorities and Indigenous groups. An expected outcome is defined as an objective that the proponent can reasonably anticipate achieving through a project as a result of the implementation of effective mitigation measures. Expected outcomes may be qualitative or quantitative in nature but must be measurable in order to support a determination of whether mitigation measures are working effectively to eliminate, reduce, control, or offset adverse effects on VCs. Proponents will be expected to provide information on the extent to which they are achieving their expected outcomes in their annual follow-up program reports

If the follow-up program indicates that mitigation measures are not working effectively, additional measures may be required and implemented. If, through a follow-up program, it is identified that the predictions of the impact assessment were not accurate, corrective action or additional measures may be required to be put in place by the proponent.

Follow-up programs are an opportunity to continue engaging with impacted Indigenous groups. If undertaken collaboratively, they can support solution-oriented approaches to managing adaptively through the early identification of issues in follow-up programs and appropriate solutions incorporating Indigenous knowledge.

In developing the follow-up program framework for environmental, health, social or economic valued components, as applicable, the Impact Statement should take into account the considerations outlined in the Agency guidance on Follow-up Programs under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (guidance to be updated).

17.1. Follow-up program framework

The duration of the follow-up program must be as long as required to verify the accuracy of the environmental, health, cultural, social and economic effects and the impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples predicted during the impact assessment and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigation measures.

The Impact Statement must present a follow-up program that includes:

17.2. Follow-up program monitoring

For the proposed follow-up framework, the Impact Statement must present the preliminary environmental, health, social and economic monitoring program, including, but not limited to the:

17.3. Compliance monitoring

Proponents are responsible for verifying whether the required mitigation measures were implemented. The Impact Statement must present a framework by which it will undertake compliance monitoring for follow-up programs. This should include, but not be limited to:

17.4. Adaptive management plans

Proponents should consider adaptive management as a means to address high uncertainties associated with the effectiveness of mitigation measures or predicted effects and to help ensure expected outcomes are achieved. Adaptive Management Plans establish a systematic process following six iterative steps: assess, design, implement, monitor, evaluate, and adjust. An Adaptive Management Plan may be warranted in addition to a follow-up program if it meets each of the following criteria:

  1. There is high uncertainty around the effectiveness of mitigation measures or predicted effects.
  2. There is a need for, or benefit to reducing uncertainties through an Adaptive Management Plan.
  3. Adaptive management is technically feasible.

Adaptive management does not eliminate the need to provide sufficient information on the baseline conditions or effects attributed to the designated project. Nor does it eliminate the need to characterize effects and identify appropriate mitigation measures to eliminate, reduce or control those effects.

Please refer to the Agency’s guidance on Adaptive Management Measures under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 1992 (guidance to be updated).

18. Assessment Summary

The proponent must prepare a stand-alone plain language summary of the Impact Statement in both of Canada’s official languages (French and English). The summary must contain sufficient details for the reader to understand the project, any potential environmental, health, social and economic effects, potential adverse impacts on Indigenous peoples, proposed mitigation measures, residual effects and any required follow-up programs.

The Assessment Summary provides an opportunity for the proponent to demonstrate correspondence between issues raised during the Planning phase and issues addressed in the assessment. The Assessment Summary should be presented by VC, which allows the proponent to demonstrate the completeness of the assessment and provide the results of the analysis. The summary must include key maps or figures illustrating the project location and key project components.

The Impact Statement should also include a series of tables summarizing the following information:

Appendix 1 – Additional Guidance

This appendix contains guidance on how to address the requirements outlined in the main body of the Guidelines. Guidance has been placed in appendix for ease of reading. The proponent is expected to demonstrate how relevant guidance or technical recommendations were used. Alternatively, a rationale must be provided as to why it is not applicable, feasible, or why different approaches were found more adequate

List of project components & activities

The list of project components and activities, as required in Section 3.4 Project components and activities, should focus on those with the greatest potential to have environmental, health, social and economic effects, or impacts on Indigenous peoples and their rights, as determined by Indigenous groups. Sufficient information must be included to adequately predict adverse and positive effects, the interaction between those effects and any disproportionate effects for diverse subgroups within communities.

Project components and activities should include the following elements, as relevant:

Project components

Common project components
Liquefied natural gas facilities
Mining
Onshore linear Infrastructures
Hydroelectric power generation
Nuclear facilities
Marine

Project activities

Site preparation and construction
Include for capital and maintenance dredging:
Include for open-water disposal activities of dredged sediments, if applicable:
Include for terrestrial disposal sites or dewatering basins, if required:
Offshore projects:
Operation
Suspension, abandonment or decommissioning

Sources of baseline information

Information sources and data collection methods used for describing the baseline environmental, health, social and economic setting may consist of the following:

The proponent should consult with federal, provincial or local government authorities to determine whether additional data sources and survey methods may be appropriate.

Establishing spatial and temporal boundaries

The following guidance is supplement to the requirements in Section 7.3 Spatial and temporal boundaries.

The study area boundaries must encompass the spatial boundaries of the project, including any associated project components or activities, and the anticipated boundaries of the project effects. The proponent should consider the following areas in assigning appropriate spatial boundaries:

For biophysical VC, spatial boundaries should be defined using an ecosystem-centered approach. See document Technical Guidance for Assessing Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (2014) for more information on establishing spatial boundaries).

For habitat-related VCs potentially affected by the project, a land cover analysis, including freshwater and marine environments, should be conducted to determine appropriate ecological boundaries and buffer distances around the project area. The spatial extent of habitat and habitat functions should influence the determination of an appropriate local study area and regional study area. Spatial boundaries of the RSA should be changed if one or more land cover types are concentrated in a sub-area and are uncommon in other parts of the region.

Where a VC is a species, the local study area should correspond to the project study area plus a buffer defined in consideration of direct and indirect project effects to species including habitat effects, changes to connectivity, alteration of predator/prey dynamics, mortality, sensory disturbance and pollution. Use simulation modelling to help define buffers that address the species or species group being assessed. The proponent should contact federal, provincial and/or local government authorities to verify appropriate boundaries for wildlife species.

Spatial boundaries should consider the location of sensitive receptors, which may include:

The temporal boundaries of the impact assessment should span all phases of the project. If potential effects are predicted after project decommissioning or abandonment, this should be taken into consideration in defining specific boundaries. Define temporal boundaries in a manner that enables detection of all species that use the Project Area, Local Study Area, and Regional Study Area throughout the year and from one year to another, and to estimate their temporal pattern of use (e.g. breeding, migrants stopping on northward and/or southward migration). Temporal boundaries spanning more than one year will enable accounting for variation due to irregular events (e.g. masting events, storms on migration, late snowfalls).

Developing mitigation measures and enhancements

Mitigation measures are technically and economically feasible measures to eliminate, reduce, control or offset the adverse effects of a designated project, and include restitution for any damage caused by those effects through replacement, restoration or compensation. The "hierarchy of mitigation measures" presents three options for types of mitigation measures, in descending order of preference:

As a first step, the proponent should use an approach based on the avoidance and reduction of the adverse effects at the source, namely consider modifying the design or changing the location of certain project components.

Enhancement measures for positive effects are not necessarily required to mitigate negative effects, but are measures that may be developed to make use of opportunities presented by the project to contribute to, for example, local and regional training efforts, investment in infrastructure and services, projects to rehabilitate degraded environments. Measures are to be specific, achievable, measurable and verifiable, and described in a manner that avoids ambiguity in intent, interpretation and implementation.

The proponent is encouraged to work with the community to align project goals with an aim to enhance positive project effects. Such an approach may include the modification of the design of the project or relocation of project components.

Compensation and offset plans

Where compensatory or offset measures are proposed to mitigate effects (e.g. on species at risk and their critical habitats, fish and fish habitat, or wetland functions), the Impact Statement must include the compensation or offset plans for consideration during the impact assessment process.

In general, these plans should address the following elements, or refer to locations in the Impact Statement where this information is presented:

The proponent must explain how Indigenous peoples were involved in the development of the compensation plans. The proponent must demonstrate how the information received from Indigenous peoples has been taken into account, including the choice of compensation ratios, if applicable. The proponent must also elaborate on how Indigenous peoples will be involved in the implementation of the compensation measures and the evaluation of the success of these measures.

For compensation plans targeting species at risk, the proponent can refer to Template 2 in the Species at Risk Act Permitting Policy.

With respect to wetlands, compensation plans should:

For fish and fish habitat, each offsetting plans should include:

Offsetting plans and monitoring programs for fish and fish habitat should be developed using standard Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) guidance:

Guidance for biophysical components

Atmospheric, acoustic and visual environment

The following guidance should be consulted in conjunction with Section 8.4. Atmospheric, acoustic and visual environment:

The proponent should engage with experts at ECCC to inform the choice of program to conduct regional air quality modelling of acidifying deposition rates.

Wetlands

The following guidance should be consulted in conjunction with Section 8.6 Vegetation, riparian and wetland environments.

With regards to the wetlands functions assessment, the proponent should:

Fish and fish habitat

The following guidance should be consulted in conjunction with Section 8.7 Fish and fish habitat, as relevant to the establishment of baseline conditions

For potentially affected fish, the proponent should:

With respect to the assessment of effects on fish and fish habitat, the proponent should:

Birds and bird habitat

The following guidance should be consulted in conjunction with Section 8.8. Birds, migratory birds and their habitat:

The proponent should consult:

The description of bird species and their habitat in the study area may be based on existing sources, but supporting evidence is required that demonstrates that the data used are representative of the avifauna and habitats in the study area. Existing data must be supplemented by surveys, if required to produce a representative sample of the avifauna and habitats of the study area.

Wildlife and species at risk

The following guidance should be consulted in conjunction with Section 8.9. Terrestrial wildlife and wildlife habitat and for Section 8.10 Species at Risk and their habitat.

In order to establish adequate baseline conditions for wildlife, take into account the following technical recommendations:

It is recommended that the proponent be prepared to:

The proponent should contact provincial or local government authorities to determine additional data sources and survey methods.

A permit under the Species at Risk Act must be previously obtained for surveys on federal lands that are likely to harm, harass, capture or kill species at risk, other than migratory birds.

Appendix 2 – Resources and Guidance

Atmospheric, acoustic and visual environment

Air Quality Management System (AQMS) and the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS). Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). Available at https://ccme.ca/en/current-activities/air

Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). 1979. Available at https://unece.org/convention-and-its-achievements

Environmental Code of Practice for the Measurement and Control of Fugitive VOC Emissions from Equipment Leaks. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). 1993. Available upon request to CCME.

ISO 12913-1:2014 Acoustics—Soundscape—Part 1: Definition and conceptual framework. International Organization for Standardization. 2014. Available at https://www.iso.org/cms/render/live/en/sites/isoorg/contents/data/standard/05/21/52161.html

Birds, migratory birds and their habitat

Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Audubon. Available at http://netapp.audubon.org/CBCObservation/Historical/ResultsByCount.aspx

Avoiding harm to migratory birds. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/avoiding-harm-migratory-birds.html

Barker, R. J., Schofield, M. R., Link, W. A., Sauer, J. R. 2018. On the reliability of N-mixture models for count data. Biometrics, 74(1), 369–377. Available at https://doi.org/10.1111/biom.12734

Bird Conservation Regions and strategies. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/migratory-bird-conservation/regions-strategies.html

Bird surveys. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/bird-surveys.html

Canada-US convention protecting migratory birds. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1999. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/international-affairs/partnerships-countries-regions/north-america/canada-united-states-protecting-migratory-birds.html

Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN). Birds Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/canadian-migration-monitoring-network-cmmn/

eBird Canada. Available at https://ebird.org/canada/home

General nesting periods of migratory birds. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/avoiding-harm-migratory-birds/general-nesting-periods.html

A Framework for the Scientific Assessment of Potential Project Impact on Birds. Prepared by Alan Hanson et al. Available at http://www.publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2010/ec/CW69-5-508-eng.pdf. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Technical Report Series Number 508.

Hanson, A., Goudie, I., Lang, A., Gjerdrum, C., Cotter, R., Donaldson, G. 2009. A Framework for the Scientific Assessment of Potential Project Impacts on Birds. Technical report series No. 508. Environnement Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service. Available at http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2010/ec/CW69-5-508-eng.pdf

Milko, R. 1998. Migratory birds environmental assessment guideline. Environment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service. Available at http://publications.gc.ca/site/fra/9.647049/publication.html

North American Breeding Bird Survey Website - Results. Available at https://wildlife-species.canada.ca/breeding-bird-survey-results/P001/A001/?lang=e

NatureCounts. Birds Canada, Avian Knowledge Network. Available at https://www.birdscanada.org/birdmon/default/searchquery.jsp

Nesting Calendar Query Tool. Birds Canada. Available at https://www.birdscanada.org/apps/rnest/index.jsp

North American Waterfowl Management Plan. NAWMP Canada. 2013. Available at http://nawmp.wetlandnetwork.ca/what-is-nawmp/

Yip, D. A., L. Leston, E. M. Bayne, P. Sólymos, and A. Grover. 2017. Experimentally derived detection distances from audio recordings and human observers enable integrated analysis of point count data. Avian Conservation and Ecology 12(1):11. Available at https://www.ace-eco.org/vol12/iss1/art11

Fish and fish habitat

A science-based framework for assessing the response of fisheries productivity to state of species or habitats. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2013. Available at: https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/360944.pdf.

Bradford, M.J., R.G. Randall, K.S. Smokorowski, B.E. Keatley and K.D. Clarke. 2014. A framework for assessing fisheries productivity for the Fisheries Protection Program. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat. Available at https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/359758.pdf

Bradford, M.J., Smokorowski, K.E. Clarke, K.D., Keatley, B.E. and Wong, M.C. 2016. Equivalency metrics for the determination of offset requirements for the Fisheries Protection Program. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat. Available at https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/364029.pdf

Braun, D.C., Smokorowski, K.E., Bradford, M.J., and Glover, L. 2019. A review of functional monitoring methods to assess mitigation, restoration, and offsetting activities in Canada. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat. Available at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ResDocs-DocRech/2019/2019_057-eng.pdf

Framework for Assessing Ecological Flow Requirements to Support Fisheries in Canada. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat. 2013. Available at https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/348881.pdf

Pathways of Effects. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Available at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/pathways-sequences/index-eng.html

A field guide to oil spill response on marine shorelines. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2016. Available at https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.820227/publication.html?wbdisable=true

Policy for applying measures to offset adverse effects on fish and fish habitat under the Fisheries Act. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/reviews-revues/policies-politiques-eng.html

Smokorowski, K.E., Bradford, M.J., Clarke, K.D., Clément, M., Gregory, R.S., Randall, R.G. 2015. Assessing the effectiveness of habitat offset activities in Canada: Monitoring design and metrics. Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 3132. Available at http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2015/mpo-dfo/Fs97-6-3132-eng.pdf

Gender-based analysis plus

By the Numbers: Gender Diversity in Canada’s Natural Resource Industries and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Submitted Brief. Natural Resources Canada. Available at https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/421/FEWO/Brief/BR8745320/br-external/NRC-e.pdf

Demystifying GBA+ Job Aid. Women and Gender Equality Canada. Available at: https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/gbaplus-course-cours-acsplus/assets/modules/Demystifying_GBA_job_aid_EN.pdf

GBA+ in Impact Assessment Fact Sheet. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/gender-based-analysis-plus-impact-assessment-fact-sheet.html

Gender Diversity and Inclusion: A Guide for Explorers. Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.pdac.ca/priorities/responsible-exploration/gender/gender-diversity-and-inclusion-guidance-document

Gender, diversity and inclusion statistics. Statistics Canada. Available at https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/topics-start/gender_diversity_and_inclusion

Guidance: Gender-based Analysis Plus in Impact Assessment. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/gender-based-analysis.html

Intersectionality Job Aid. Status of Women Canada. 2018. Available at https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/gbaplus-course-cours-acsplus/assets/modules/Intersectionality_tool_job_aid_EN.pdf

Greenhouse gases and climate change

Policy Context: Considering Environmental Obligations and Commitments in Respect of Climate Change under the Impact Assessment Act. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/considering-environmental-obligations.html

Strategic Assessment of Climate Change. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.strategicassessmentclimatechange.ca

Human health

Bhatia, R., Farhang, L., Heller, J., Lee, M., Orenstein, M., Richardson, M., Wernham, A. Minimum Elements and Practice Standards for Health Impact Assessment, Version 3. 2014. Available at https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/040d/8ff2749f8ef2ec8b8233b7bffae9f7a38a12.pdf

Canadian Best Practices Portal – Food Security. Public Health Agency of Canada. Available at https://cbpp-pcpe.phac-aspc.gc.ca/public-health-topics/food-security/

Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. Health Canada. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/water-quality/drinking-water/canadian-drinking-water-guidelines.html

Community and health system characteristics – Community. Health Indicators E-Publication. Canadian Institute for Health Information. Available at https://www.cihi.ca/en/health-indicators-e-publication

Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide—First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Health Canada. 2007. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/reports-publications/eating-well-canada-food-guide-first-nations-inuit-metis.html

Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessments: Air Quality. Health Canada. 2017. Available at http://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidance-evaluating-human-health-impacts-air-quality.html

Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessments: Country Foods available at http://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidance-evaluating-human-health-impacts-country-foods.html. Health Canada. 2017.

Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessments: Noise available at http://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidance-evaluating-human-health-impacts-noise.html. Health Canada. 2017.

Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessments: Radiological Impacts available at http://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidance-evaluating-human-health-impacts-radiological.html. Health Canada. 2017.

Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessments: Drinking and Recreational Water Quality available at http://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidance-evaluating-human-health-impacts-water-quality.html. Health Canada. 2017.

Guidance for Evaluating Human Health Impacts in Environmental Assessment: Human Health Risk Assessment. Health Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidance-evaluating-human-health-impacts-risk-assessment.html

Health Canada’s Risk Assessment Guidance Parts I through VII available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/contaminated-sites/guidance-documents.html. Health Canada. 2017

Health impact assessment – A guide for the oil and gas industry. IPIECA & International Association of Oil & Gas Producers. 2016. Available at https://www.ipieca.org/resources/good-practice/health-impact-assessment-a-guide-for-the-oil-and-gas-industry/

Health Impact Assessments. National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. Available at https://www.ncceh.ca/environmental-health-in-canada/health-agency-projects/health-impact-assessments

Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Aboriginal Peoples Health. National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health. 2013. Available at https://www.nccih.ca/en/publicationsview.aspx?sortcode=2.8.10.16&id=46

Health Inequalities Data Tool – Public Health Infobase. Public Health Agency of Canada. Available at https://health-infobase.canada.ca/health-inequalities/indicat

Key Health Inequalities in Canada. A National Portrait. Public Health Agency of Canada. 2018. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/science-research/key-health-inequalities-canada-national-portrait-executive-summary/hir-full-report-eng.pdf

Lewis, D., James, S. Thom, O., Doxtator, S., Nahmahbin-Hiltz, M., and Beacock, E. Intangible Impacts - More-than-mental health: Indigenous identity, culture, community and relationship with land are integral to Indigenous wellbeing (training manual). Western University. 2021. Available at: https://indigenousimpacts.uwo.ca/training_resources/indigenous_impacts_story_map.html

Positive Mental Health Indicator Framework. Public Health Agency of Canada, 2019. Available at https://health-infobase.canada.ca/positive-mental-health/

Rotenberg, C. 2016. Social determinants of health for the off-reserve First Nations population, 15 years of age and older, 2012. Statistics Canada. Available at https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-653-x/89-653-x2016010-eng.htm

Salerno, T., Tam, J., Page, J., Gosling, S., and Firelight Research Inc. Indigenous Mental Wellness and Major Project Development: Guidance for Impact Assessment Professionals and Indigenous Communities

Final Report. May 7, 2021. Available at https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/iaac-acei/documents/research/indigenous-mental-wellness-and-ia-en.pdf

Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequalities available at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html. Public Health Agency of Canada. 2019.

What are the social determinants of health? National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. Available at https://nccdh.ca/resources/entry/SDH-factsheet

Indigenous participation and engagement

The Agency expects proponents to keep apprised of updated or new practitioner guidance or policies published on the Agency’s website as may be the case over the course of a multi-year IA process. Best practices and current published guidance should be relied upon to the extent possible by proponents in developing their Impact Statement, and the following list of resources may be updated from time to time.

Indigenous Knowledge under the Impact Assessment Act: Procedures for Working with Indigenous Communities. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/indigenous-knowledge-under-the-impact-assessment-act.html

Guidance: Assessment of Potential Impacts on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessm ent-act/guidance-assessm ent-potential-im pacts-rights-indigenous-peoples.html

Guidance: Collaboration with Indigenous Peoples in Impact Assessments. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/collaboration-indigenous-peoples-ia.html

Guidance: Indigenous Participation in Impact Assessment. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-im pact-assessment-act/guidance-indigenous-participation-ia.htm l

Policy Context: Indigenous Participation in Impact Assessment. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/policy-indigenous-participation-ia.html

Policy Context: Assessment of Potential Impacts on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessm ent-act/assessm ent-potential-im pacts-rights-indigenous-peoples.html

Protecting Confidential Indigenous Knowledge under the Impact Assessment Act – Supplementary Guidance to Indigenous Knowledge in Impact Assessment: Procedures for Working with Indigenous Communities. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/protecting-confidential-indigenous-knowledge-under-the-impact-assessment-act.html

Technical Guidance for assessing the Current Use of Lands and Resources for Traditional Purposes under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 2015. Available at https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/iaac-acei/documents/policy-guidance/assessing-current-use-lands-resources-traditional-purposes/current_use_final_draft-eng.pdf

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. United Nations. 2007. Available at https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html

Public participation

Framework: Public Participation under the Impact Assessment Act. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/framework-public-participation.html

Guidance: Public Participation for Impact Assessment under the Impact Assessment Act. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/guidance-public-particaption-impact.html

Purpose and need

Guidance: "Need for," "Purpose of," "Alternatives to" and "Alternative means." Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/guidance-need-for-purpose-of-alternatives-to-and-alternative-means.html

Policy Context: "Need for," "Purpose of," "Alternatives to" and "Alternative means." Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/need-for-purpose-of-alternatives-to-and-alternative-means.html

Social and economic conditions

Analyzing Health, Social and Economic Effects under the Impact Assessment Act. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/analyzing-health-social-economic-effects-impact-assessment-act.html

Technical Guidance for Assessing Physical and Cultural Heritage or any Structure, Site or Thing. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2015. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/technical-guidance-assessing-physical-cultural-heritage-or-structure-site-or-thing.html

Species at risk

Canadian National White-nose Syndrome Decontamination Protocol for entering bat hibernacula. Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. 2016. Available at: http://www.cwhc-rcsf.ca/docs/WNS_Decontamination_Protocol-Nov2016.pdf

COSEWIC Status Reports. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Available at: https://cosewic.ca/index.php/en-ca/status-reports

Master, L. L., Faber-Langendoen, D., Bittman, R., Hammerson, G. A., Heidel, B., Ramsay, L., Snow, K., Teuche, A., Tomaino, A. 2012. NatureServe Conservation Status Assessments: Factors for Evaluating Species and Ecosystem Risk. Available at https://www.natureserve.org/publications/natureserve-conservation-status-assessments-factors-evaluating-species-and-ecosystem

Operational Framework for Use of Conservation Allowances. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2012. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/sustainable-development/publications/operational-framework-use-conservation-allowances.html

Scientific assessment to inform the identification of critical habitat for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), boreal population, in Canada. Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service. 2011. Available at https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item?id=CW66-296-2011-eng&op=pdf&app=Library

Species at Risk Act Permitting Policy. Government of Canada. 2016. Available at https://species-registry.canada.ca/index-en.html#/consultations/2983

Species at risk public registry. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry.html

Woodland Caribou, Boreal population (Rangifer tarandus caribou): amended recovery strategy [proposed]. 2019. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/recovery-strategies/woodland-caribou-boreal-2019.html

Sustainability and environmental obligations

Canada’s national biodiversity clearing-house. Federal, provincial and territorial working group on biodiversity. Available at https://biodivcanada.chm-cbd.net/

Guidance: Considering the Extent to which a Project Contributes to Sustainability under the Impact Assessment Act. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2019. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/guidance-considering-extent-project-contributes-sustainability.html

Policy Context: Considering Environmental Obligations and Commitments in Respect of Climate Change under the Impact Assessment Act. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/considering-environmental-obligations.html

Water quality

Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. Available at: Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines - Canada.ca

Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. Available at https://ccme.ca/en/resources/water-aquatic-life

Global Acid Rock Drainage Guide. INAP: The International Network for Acid Prevention. Available at http://www.gardguide.com

Guidelines for the Assessment of Alternatives for Mine Waste Disposal. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/sources-industry/mining-effluent/metal-diamond-mining-effluent/tailings-impoundment-areas/guidelines-alternatives-mine-waste-disposal.html

Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Report 1.20.1 Prediction Manual for Drainage Chemistry from Sulphidic Geologic Materials. William A. Price. Natural Resources Canada. 2009. Available at http://mend-nedem.org/mend-report/prediction-manual-for-drainage-chemistry-from-sulphidic-geologic-materials/

Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Report 3.50.1 - Study to Identify BATEA for the Management and Control of Effluent Quality from Mines. 2014. Available at: http://mend-nedem.org/mend-report/study-to-identify-batea-for-the-management-and-control-of-effluent-quality-from-mines/

Wetlands

Canada – Ramsar website. Available at https://www.ramsar.org/wetland/canada

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar). Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1983. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/international-affairs/partnerships-organizations/important-wetlands-ramsar-convention.html

Canadian Wetland Classification System. Developed by the National Wetlands Working Group. Available at http://www.wetlandpolicy.ca

Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation. Canadian Wildlife Service. Environment Canada.1991. Available at: https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/100725/publication.html

Hanson, A., L. Swanson, D. Ewing, G. Grabas, S. Meyer, L. Ross, M. Watmough, and J. Kirkby. 2008. Wetland Ecological Functions Assessment: An Overview of Approaches. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada. Technical Report Series No. 497. Atlantic Region. 59 pp Available at: http://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/343283/publication.html.

Other references

Assessing cumulative environmental effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 2018. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/assessing-cumulative-environmental-effects-under-canadian-environmental-assessment-act-2012.html

Determining Whether a Designated Project is Likely to Cause Significant Adverse Environmental Effects under CEAA 2012. Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 2015. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/determining-whether-designated-project-is-likely-cause-significant-adverse-environmental-effects-under-ceaa-2012.html

Introduction to Ecological Land Classification (ELC) 2017. Statistics Canada. 2017. Available at: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/subjects/standard/environment/elc/2017-1

Ecozones Introduction. Canadian Council of Ecological Areas (CCEA). 2014. Available at: https://ccea-ccae.org/ecozones-introduction/

Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance Document. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. 2020. Available at https://ccme.ca/en/res/eraguidance_e.pdf

Operational Guidance: Framework for determining whether a Monitoring Committee is warranted for a Designated Project under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012 and under the Impact Assessment Act. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. 2020. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/practitioners-guide-impact-assessment-act/framework-determining-monitoring-committee.html

Agency guidance documents are available from the Practitioner’s Guide to Federal Impact Assessments under the Impact Assessment Act

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