Details on transfer payment programs

Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of $5 million or more

Participant Funding Program, Policy Dialogue Program and Indigenous Capacity Support Program – Contributions to support the participation of the public and Indigenous groups in assessments and policy dialogue and the development of Indigenous Knowledge and capacity associated with assessments and related activities.

Start date: 2018

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result: Stakeholders and Indigenous groups meaningfully participate in the assessment process

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Assessment Administration, Conduct and Monitoring; and
• Indigenous Relations and Engagement

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Public
  • Participant Funding Program: Provides limited financial contributions to individuals, incorporated not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous groups to help prepare for and participate in key stages of assessments undertaken by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) or review panels, or a regional/strategic assessment.
  • Policy Dialogue Program: supports the provision of external advice and participation in developing policies, methodologies, tools, and practices related to impact assessments, regional assessments, and strategic assessments.
• Indigenous
  • Indigenous Capacity Support Program: supports the development of local and regional Indigenous Knowledge and capacity to participate in, or undertake, project impact assessments, regional assessments, policy engagement, impact assessment monitoring and follow-up activities, and Impact Assessment Act (IAA)-related activities effectively.
  • Policy Dialogue Program: supports the provision of external advice and participation in developing policies, methodologies, tools, and practices related to impact assessments, regional assessments, and strategic assessments.
  • Participant Funding Program: provides limited financial contributions to Indigenous groups to help prepare for and participate in key stages of assessments undertaken by IAAC or review panels, or a regional/strategic assessment.

Results achieved:

The Participant Funding Program expended $3.47M through contribution agreements to support the participation of Indigenous Peoples and the public in 14 assessment processes, and an additional $1.00M to support participation in five regional assessment processes. In 2023–24, the program provided funding to 74 unique recipients, 44 to participate in project assessment processes, and 30 to participate in regional assessment processes. Sixty-one percent (61%) of funding was provided to unique Indigenous recipients. A total of 43 new contribution agreements were signed in 2023–24, 12 for project assessments processes and 31 for regional assessment processes.

The Policy Dialogue Program expended $2.03M through contribution agreements to support the participation of Indigenous groups and members of the public in the development of policy and guidance. In 2023–24, funding was provided to support the participation of 65 unique recipients. Thirty-two percent (32%) of unique recipients of funding were Indigenous Peoples, and a total of 54 new contribution agreements were signed.

Through the program, participants provided feedback on Agency policies and guidance, engaged in collaborative work on policy issues, and provided financial support to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on Science and Knowledge, the Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC), and the Minister’s Advisory Council (MINAC) on Impact Assessment.

In 2023–24, TAC held five meetings during which the committee examined several critical topics, including biodiversity in the context of impact assessments, “alternatives to” and “alternative means”, as well as on the review of the Physical Activities Regulations. The committee also provided informal feedback on IAAC’s approach to updating its guidance documents on cumulative effects and health, social and economic effects, in addition to providing feedback on the joint Agency and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) guidance document on economic effects.

In 2023–24, IAC held four meetings, during which it examined several critical topics, including Indigenous Knowledge and science, Assessment of Impacts to Rights, and feedback on the co-administration agreements discussion paper.

A Circle of Experts, created as a subcommittee of IAC, held three meetings and continued its work to co-develop a discussion paper on Indigenous impact assessment co-administration agreements.

Information on TAC and IAC, including summaries of their meetings, can be found on IAAC’s Advisory Groups webpage.

MINAC drafted and submitted to IAAC its second report for the Minister, which was tabled in Parliament in June 2023. In 2023–24, MINAC held five meetings, during which it discussed several key topics, including the Minister’s response to the second report, the Supreme Court of Canada Decision and proposed amendments to the IAA, reflections on impact assessment experiences in Eastern Canada, and future priorities for the next report.

The Indigenous Capacity Support Program expended $12.63M through contribution agreements to support the participation of Indigenous communities and Indigenous not-for-profit organizations in engaging and leading consultations as part of assessments, policy engagement, and monitoring and follow-up activities. In 2023–24, the program provided funding support to 63 unique recipients and signed 47 new contribution agreements.

Activities supported under this program included developing governance structures, generic tools and studies, in-house training, and general awareness of the impact assessment process for community members. Funding also supported an in-person national conference in January 2023, called the "National Indigenous Capacity Conference," where recipients shared tools, knowledge, and best practices in impact assessments.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: No audit was completed in 2023–24

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: No evaluation was conducted in 2023–24

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

• Public
  • Participant Funding Program: public notices and social media posts related to financial support for participation are posted in various news outlets and on IAAC’s website. Public notices are also provided to media outlets in regions relevant to proposed designated projects.
    These public notices and news releases provide the following information:
    • a brief description of the proposed project;
    • the purpose of the participant funding;
    • the phase(s) of the environmental or impact assessment for which funding is available;
    • the deadline to submit applications;
    • the process to obtain application forms; and
    • how to learn more about the Program.
  • Policy Dialogue Program: For some initiatives under this Program, stakeholders and Indigenous groups are identified based on expertise and the policy issues at hand. Using targeted means, IAAC contacts stakeholders and Indigenous groups to inform them about funding opportunities. For other initiatives, IAAC advertises funding availability and application forms that are available to eligible applicants on its website.
• Indigenous
  • Participant Funding Program: Throughout the life of a project, IAAC maintains regular contact with Indigenous communities through various means, including consultation meetings, community visits, correspondence, and telephone calls. Indigenous communities potentially affected by a project are contacted and notified of opportunities to participate in consultation activities. Funding for Indigenous applicants is linked to IAAC’s Indigenous consultation activities associated with the engagement activities of a project, regional or strategic assessment, or review process. Indigenous Funding availability is communicated by IAAC, directly to those Indigenous recipients who may be potentially impacted by the project. This is done at the same time as the announcement for the public.
    Consultation work plans are prepared jointly with potentially affected communities, and feedback is solicited at key points in the process. For example, during the Planning phase of an assessment, IAAC solicits feedback on the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and draft Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plans. Later in the assessment process, it solicits input on the draft environmental or impact assessment report and potential conditions to be met.
    Feedback is also solicited for assessments by review panels on joint review panel agreements (when applicable), terms of reference, information provided by the proponent, during public hearings, at the conclusion of panel reports, and on potential conditions.
    Indigenous communities that are not identified by IAAC as being potentially affected by a project can find information on the availability of participant funding on IAAC’s website.
  • Indigenous Capacity Support Program: Under certain streams of this program, funding announcements are made outlining the strategic priority activities. Applicants must first provide IAAC with a proposal demonstrating how their initiative meets the objectives and criteria of the program. This includes providing information to determine eligibility requirements are met as well as any information required to assess the applicant and/or the initiative against the program assessment criteria. Proposals that meet the criteria and priorities outlined may be funded based on funding availability.
    For other streams in the program, a range of approaches may be employed, such as targeted and/or open processes for identifying funding opportunities.
    In the case of a targeted process, IAAC engages its regional staff and other organizational units, as necessary, to identify candidates. Agency representatives contact candidates directly and explain the application process and its requirements. In the case of an open process, IAAC organizes and leads the call for proposals, which may include specific, targeted criteria. All material is posted on IAAC’s website.

Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of less than $5 million

Contribution to the Province of Quebec – James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement

Start date: 1978

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: Most recent agreements (renewal) were signed between Canada and Quebec in March 2002, outlining terms and conditions. The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (1975) establishes obligations for funding.

Link to departmental result(s): Scientific and evidence-based information, and Indigenous Knowledge on key health, social, economic, and environmental effects is available to inform project assessment processes, including impact assessment reports, decisions and conditions

Link to the department’s program inventory: Indigenous Relations and Engagement

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: Maintain and provide funding for the secretariats supporting the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment and the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee.

Results achieved:

Disbursed $432,500 to the Province of Quebec ─ James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: No audit was completed in 2023–24

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: No evaluation was conducted in 2023–24

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: Not applicable

Grants to support the participation of the public and Indigenous groups in impact, regional or strategic assessments, and to support impact assessment-related research

Start date: 2019–20

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant

Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s):

• Scientific and evidence-based information, and Indigenous Knowledge on key health, social, economic, and environmental effects is available to inform project assessment processes, including impact assessment reports, decisions and conditions; and
• Stakeholders and Indigenous groups meaningfully participate in the assessment process.

Link to the department’s program inventory:

• Assessment Administration, Conduct and Monitoring; and
• Indigenous Relations and Engagement

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

• Better informed decision-making through the active participation of the public and Indigenous groups with knowledge or expertise relevant to project impact assessments;
• Provides grants for recipients to support their participation in regional assessments, or an assessment conducted by a review panel or by IAAC;
• Supports the provision of external advice and participation in the development of policies, methodologies, tools, and practices related to assessments; and
• Promotes and disseminates new and innovative research that furthers the practice of impact assessment, including regional or strategic assessments.

Results achieved:

The Participant Funding Program expended $1.19M in funding through 169 grant agreements to support the participation of Indigenous groups, the public, and stakeholders in assessment processes:

• $1,00M was disbursed to 114 unique recipients for their participation in 28 project assessment-related activities; and
• $0.19M was disbursed to 11 unique recipients to facilitate their participation in two regional assessments.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of funding was provided to unique Indigenous recipients.

The Research Program expended $0.60M through ten grant agreements to nine unique recipients to support research on topics including:

• Clean growth and cumulative effects;
• Social impact assessment;
• Regional assessment best practices;
• Network on GBA Plus in impact assessment;
• Adaptive management thresholds;
• Consensus seeking in impact assessment;
• Impacts of climate change on major projects;
• Indigenous-led environmental health risk assessment; and
• Harm reduction in resource development project planning and implementation.

Funding from the Research Program also supported:

• Creation of the Gender-based Intersectional Indigenous Impact Assessment Network (GiiiA Network), which is led by the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women and the University of Guelph’s Live Work Well Research Centre. The purpose of this Network is to share knowledge and develop tools about good practices as well as strategies to include GBA Plus and Indigenous Lens GBA Plus in impact assessment.
• The delivery of an interactive institute, hosted by the University of Guelph, which focused on building capacity in developing an Indigenous-led approach to environmental health risk assessment.

The Policy Dialogue Program expended $0.52M through 19 grant agreements to 17 unique recipients to support the participation of Indigenous Peoples in policy and guidance development.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: No audit was completed in 2023–24

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: No evaluation was conducted in 2023–24

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

• Grants under the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Research Program:
  IAAC’s current Research Program, comprised of grant and operations and maintenance (O&M) funding, was established to support implementation of the Impact Assessment Act.
  Grants are provided to recipients from Canadian not-for-profit and academic institutions to enable research and associated deliverables on topics including:
  • Understanding approaches and best practices for consensus seeking
  • Identifying potential cumulative effects of clean growth projects
  • Improving adaptive management practices in impact assessment
  • Identifying impacts of climate change on major resource projects, including associated health, social, and economic effects
  • Establishing recommended best practices for social impact assessment
  • Developing a verified framework for developing mitigation measures to address project impacts and risks to Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
  • Synthesizing best practices for conducting regional assessments
• Grants under the Participant Funding Program:
  Participant Funding Program grants are provided to recipients for initiatives such as supporting early engagement and post-decision phase activities with IAAC for assessments and providing feedback on key scoping documents for projects and regional assessments.
  Grants for Indigenous groups: Indigenous communities potentially affected by a project are contacted and notified of opportunities to participate in consultation and engagement activities for the Pre-planning and Planning phases of impact assessments and for the Planning phase of regional assessments. Communities that believe they may be potentially affected by a project are invited to contact IAAC.
  Consultation work plans are prepared jointly with potentially affected communities, and feedback is solicited at key points in the process.
  Grants for the public: Grants are provided to public groups or individuals participating in Planning phase activities of impact assessments and early engagement activities for regional assessments. The public is notified of opportunities to take part in such activities by IAAC and about funding availability through public notices posted in various news outlets and on IAAC’s website.

• Grants under the Policy Dialogue Program:
  Grants of low materiality can be provided to individuals, Indigenous communities or organizations, or not-for-profit organizations for such activities as:
  • developing documents, policies, and technical recommendations;
  • contributing to information, advice, or views on existing or draft guidance, directives, policies, regulations and legislation;
  • participating in engagement sessions related to the review or development of impact assessment-related policy and program issues;
  • participating in activities related to advisory bodies established by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change or IAAC; and o developing and supporting networks for discussing key policy issues and exchanging views on policy options and/or proposals.

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.

Explanation of variances

There was a reduction in grant spending following the Supreme Court of Canada Decision on the constitutionality of the IAA and varying project funding timelines. Remaining funding was reallocated to fulfill funding obligations for active contribution agreements that required additional funding.