A proposed new impact assessment system

• What we are doing
• Key features of the proposed new system
• What’s happening now and next steps
• Guides and infographics
• Why we did this
• More information

What we are doing

The Government of Canada is bringing forward better rules for major projects to protect our environment, fish and waterways, and rebuild public trust in how decisions about resource development projects are made.

One of the key proposed changes is provide greater clarity and consistency by establishing the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (currently the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency) to lead all federal reviews of major projects, working with other bodies like the new Canadian Energy Regulator (currently the National Energy Board), the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Offshore Boards, and in cooperation with provinces and territories and Indigenous jurisdictions.

These better rules reflect values that are important to Canadians — including early, inclusive and meaningful public engagement; nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government partnerships with Indigenous peoples; timely decisions based on the best available science and Indigenous knowledge; and sustainability for present and future generations.

Key features of the proposed new system

• Proactive strategic and regional assessments would evaluate big-picture issues (e.g. climate change, biodiversity, species at risk), the cumulative effects of development and provide context for impact assessments.
• An early planning and engagement phase for all projects would build trust, increase efficiency, improve project design, and give companies certainty about the next steps in the review process.
• Indigenous engagement and partnership throughout the process.
• Increased public participation opportunities.
• Legislated timelines to provide clarity and regulatory certainty.
• The legislated timeline for Agency led impact assessments would be reduced from 365 to a maximum of 300 days, and Panel reviews from 720 days (24 months) to a maximum of 600 days (20 months) due to efficiencies created through early planning and engagement. A more timely process would lead to more timely decisions.
• Strengthened monitoring, follow-up, and enforcement:
  • Life-cycle regulators and permitting departments would work collaboratively with communities and Indigenous peoples to enhance monitoring, follow-up, and compliance.

What's happening now and next steps

The proposed new Impact Assessment Act is undergoing review by Parliament. Until the proposed legislation comes into effect, existing laws and interim principles for project reviews will continue to apply to projects under review.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is currently developing policy, guidance, and regulations for the proposed new impact assessment system.

Guides and infographics

Why we did this?

The government promised to review environmental and regulatory processes to address concerns about previous reforms. The government put in place interim principles for project reviews in January 2016, then launched a comprehensive process in June 2016 to review existing laws and seek Canadians’ input on how to improve our environmental and regulatory system.

Improvements needed to the current system:

• More transparency and certainty that decisions will be based on robust science, evidence and Indigenous knowledge;
• More and earlier opportunities for meaningful participation by Indigenous peoples and the Canadian public;
• More Indigenous leadership opportunities and partnership in project review;
• Impact assessment would look at all of a project’s impacts to foster sustainability, rather than only considering environmental factors;
• More coordination with provinces to support one project one assessment and avoid duplication; and
• More predictable and consistent timelines.

More information

Indigenous Engagement:

• Indigenous engagement on the proposed new impact assessment system

Advisory Groups:

• Indigenous Advisory Committee
• Multi-Interest Advisory Committee
• Technical Advisory Committee on Science and Knowledge

Regulations:

• Consultation Paper on Approach to revising the Project List HTML | PDF
• Consultation Paper on Information Requirements and Time Management Regulations HTML | PDF

Proposed legislation:

• Bill C-69: An Act to enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to amend the Navigation Protection Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

2016-2017 Review of environmental and regulatory processes:

• Expert Panel (August 2016 – March 2017)
• Let’s Talk Environmental Assessment (April – May 2017)
• Environmental and Regulatory Reviews: Proposed Approach (June – August 2017)