Strategic assessments

On this page

• What is a strategic assessment?
• Benefits and potential outcomes
• How strategic assessments are conducted
• How to request a strategic assessment

What is a strategic assessment?

Strategic assessments evaluate Government-of-Canada policies, plans, programs, or common issues relevant to impact assessments. They can cover a broader range of topics, including the environment, health, social issues, economic and broader policy matters.

Strategic assessments inform our understanding of the potential impacts of development and the establishment of standard mitigation measures for certain types of projects. They enable future project-specific assessments to be focused on what’s unique and different to accelerate those processes and ensure time, energy, and resources are focused on appropriately mitigating key issues.

They follow the objectives and terms set by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (the Minister) and provide recommendations for addressing issues transparently. The goal is to improve future federal impact assessments, making them more effective and efficient. This predictable and efficient assessment process also enhances Canada’s competitiveness and encourages investment.

Benefits and potential outcomes

Unlike impact assessments, which assess the impacts of specific projects, strategic assessments focus on common impact assessment issues, or broader policy issues that are difficult to address at the project level. This allows the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), or a committee of independent experts, to recommend specific solutions and to inform assessments for future development projects.

Project impact assessments follow their own legislative timelines and are separate from strategic assessment timelines.

Assessing common issues in impact assessments

Strategic assessments can examine common or recurring issues across multiple impact assessments and propose solutions by suggesting:

• changes or new federal policies, plans or programs, or
• standard actions, such as specific mitigation measures or follow-up requirements for future designated projects

Assessing broader policy issues in impact assessments

With their comprehensive approach, strategic assessments can examine broader, emerging or ongoing federal policy issues relevant to impact assessments. For example, they can help:

• identify potential new or emerging technologies or sector challenges (e.g., regulating a new sector)
• inform policy or regulations by examining issues that affect specific populations (e.g., Indigenous Peoples) or socio-economic or environmental conditions (e.g., species at risk)

How strategic assessments are conducted

Given that strategic assessments are a flexible tool, the specific steps and details for each assessment are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Step 1: Minister’s decision

The Minister decides whether to conduct a strategic assessment. This may result from a request or when the Minister is of the view that a strategic assessment is appropriate. This decision, along with the reasons for it, are posted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry). They are also provided to the requestor and potentially affected Indigenous communities and organizations and/or Modern Treaty Partners.

Step 2: Planning and engagement

IAAC collaborates with federal and provincial authorities and invites Indigenous Peoples and the public to help inform the strategic assessment, including identifying its goals, outcomes, processes and timelines.

Step 3: Drafting terms of reference

The terms of reference identify the objectives and scope of the strategic assessment. They may also outline any specific elements to consider while doing the analysis.

The draft terms of reference are posted on the Registry so that any interested party can provide input.

Step 4: Choosing who will conduct the strategic assessment

After considering the input on the draft terms of reference, the final terms of reference are approved by the Minister and posted on the Registry.

At this step, the Minister can choose between a committee or IAAC to conduct the strategic assessment. If IAAC conducts the strategic assessment, it may also partner with other federal departments and / or interested First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Modern Treaty Partners to plan and carry out the assessment.

Step 5: Conducting the strategic assessment

Strategic assessments are carried out according to the final terms of reference, guided by the Policy framework for strategic assessment under the Impact Assessment Act.

The specific activities and timeframe for a strategic assessment are determined case by case.

Step 6: Draft strategic assessment report

The draft strategic assessment report is posted on the Registry so that any interested party can provide input.

Step 7: Final strategic assessment report

After considering the input received, the final report is provided to the Minister and is posted on the Registry. The Minister may respond to the findings and suggest follow-up activities.

Examples of completed or ongoing strategic assessments can be found on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.

How to request a strategic assessment

Anyone can request a strategic assessment.

To learn more, visit Operational guide: Requesting a regional or strategic assessment under the Impact Assessment Act.