The Impact Assessment Process: Timelines and Outputs
Pre-planning
10 Days Service Standard
- Proponent submits Initial Project Description
- Agency accepts Initial Project Description
1. Planning
Up to 180 Days
IA by Agency
- Agency engages on Initial Project Description and prepares Summary of Issues
- Proponent submits Detailed Project Description with response to Summary of Issues
- Agency determines if impact assessment is required – posts Notice of Determination
- If impact assessment required, Agency develops draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and draft plans
- Agency issues final Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and plans to the proponent — posts Notice of Commencement
IA by a review panel
- Minister may refer impact assessment to review panel (within 45 days of Notice of Commencement)
IA by a Jurisdiction
- Minister may approve request that impact assessment be conducted by another jurisdiction
2. Impact Statement (IS)
Up to 3 years
IA by the Agency
- Proponent submits Impact Statement and supplements it, as needed
- Agency posts notice to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry) when all required studies and information are provided
- Agency implements the Public Participation Plan, Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan, Permitting Plan and/or Cooperation Plan
IA by a review panel
- Proponent submits Impact Statement and supplements it, as needed
- Minister issues Panel Terms of Reference and Agency appoints review panel members (no later than 45 days from accepting Impact Statement)
- Agency posts a notice on the Registry when all required studies and information have been provided
- Agency or review panel implements the Public Participation Plan and/or Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan, Permitting Plan and/or Cooperation Plan
3. Impact Assessment (IA)
Up to 300 days
IA by the Agency
- Agency conducts impact assessment
- Agency develops an Impact Assessment Report and any potential conditions and provides them to the Minister
- Agency implements the Public Participation Plan and/or Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan, Permitting Plan and/or Cooperation Plan
Up to 600 days | Integrated Assessment: Up to 300 days
IA by a review panel
- Review panel conducts impact assessment and holds hearing
- Review panel develops an Impact Assessment Report and any potential conditions and provides them to the Minister
- Agency or review panel implements the Public Participation Plan and/or Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan, Permitting Plan and/or Cooperation Plan
4. Decision-Making
Minister: 30 days | Governor in Council : 90 days
- Minister decides whether the project's adverse effects are in the public interest, or refers to Governor in Council (GIC)
- Minister issues Decision Statement with detailed reasons and any conditions
5. Post Decision
(if decision allows project to proceed)
Ongoing
- Proponent implments conditions in Decision Statement, an Agency or lifecycle regulator verifies compliance
- Indigenous and community monitoring committees, as needed
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