The Impact Assessment Process: Timelines and Outputs
Our website is undergoing significant changes to provide updated guidance on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada's practice on the application of the Impact Assessment Act and its regulations. This webpage and its contents may not reflect the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada's current practices. Proponents remain responsible for following applicable legislation and regulations. For more information, please contact guidancefeedback-retroactionorientation@iaac-aeic.gc.ca
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