Public Comments Invited to support the Development of Regulations under the proposed Impact Assessment Legislation

Public notice

February 8, 2018 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is seeking public comments to help inform the approach to developing two regulations to support the government’s proposed Impact Assessment Act recently introduced in Parliament.

The Regulations Designating Physical Activities, also known as the Project List, identify projects that would be subject to an impact assessment if the proposed legislation is adopted. The Agency is currently seeking views on criteria that would be used to review and periodically update the Project List to ensure it includes projects with the greatest potential to cause adverse effects in areas of federal jurisdiction related to the environment.

The Information and Time Management Regulations would set out the information that a project proponent is required to provide at the planning phase of an impact assessment. This information is intended to allow the public and Indigenous groups to understand what the proposed project involves and whether they may be affected. This information is also intended to support planning for a timely and efficient assessment process. With respect to time management the regulations would set out clear criteria where legislated timelines could be suspended. The Agency is seeking views on both the information proposed to be collected during the planning phase and the criteria to guide suspension of timelines.

The Agency invites the public, Indigenous groups, governments and other interested groups to consult the discussion papers and share their views in writing through the website www.impactassessmentregulations.ca by June 1, 2018. The feedback gathered will inform development of the regulations.

For more information on the proposed new impact assessment system, visit the Better rules to protect Canada’s environment and grow the economy website.