Horizontal initiative

Errata:

Subsequent to the tabling in Parliament and online publication of IAAC’s 2024–25 Departmental Plan, it was determined that the document of record contained errors.

  1. Two incorrect dollar amounts were identified in the Horizontal Initiative Supplementary Information Table in the “Theme C horizontal initiative activities” table.
  2. Four incorrect dollar amounts were identified in the Horizontal Initiatives Supplementary Information Table, under the “Horizontal initiative framework: departmental funding by theme (dollars)” table.

These errors have been corrected.

General information

Name of horizontal initiative: Impact Assessment Processes

Lead department: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Federal partner departments:

Start date: August 2019

End date: March 2028

Description: With the coming into force of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) in August 2019, the Impact Assessment and Regulatory Processes Horizontal Initiative was established to monitor the progress of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and its then nine partner organizations in the implementation of the IAA and other acts. Renewed in September 2022, the initiative was streamlined to focus specifically on Impact Assessment Processes as implemented by the Agency as the initiative lead and 12 partners in their capacity as technical experts, system-owners, and lifecycle regulators. The initiative has three shared outcomes: Canada’s impact assessment processes respect the rights and culture of Indigenous Peoples, and Canada’s commitment to partner with them; Canada’s impact assessment processes foster social, economic, and environmental sustainability; and stakeholders and Indigenous groups have confidence in the transparency and certainty of Canada’s impact assessment processes.

Governance structures: With the coming into force of the IAA in August 2019, and in accordance with the Guide to Departments on the Management and Reporting of Horizontal Initiatives, governance committees for impact assessment were established. Chaired by IAAC, these committees provide oversight of the Impact Assessment (IA) regime, including oversight for the implementation of the horizontal initiative and associated horizontal initiative results framework.

The Deputy Minister Impact Assessment Committee (DM IA) provides oversight and strategic direction on issues and risks pertaining to the implementation of the IAA and Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012). The DM IA is supported by the Assistant Deputy Minister Impact Assessment Committee (ADM IA).

Total federal funding allocated from start to end date (dollars): $2,258,656,004

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars): $1,261,907,183

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars): $862,974,410

Date of last renewal of initiative: December 2022

Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal and source of funding (dollars): $1,245,171,076 (Budget 2023’s Refocusing Government Spending Exercise)

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars): Not applicable

Total planned spending since last renewal: $248,422,255

Total actual spending since last renewal: Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2026-27 (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)

Planning highlights:

As presented below, some departments and agencies have identified planning highlights specific to their organization for 2024–25.

Contact information:

Name: Mary Kay Lamarche
Mailing Address: 160 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9, 22nd Floor
Phone: 343-998-4920
Email: MaryKay.Lamarche@iaac-aeic.gc.ca

Horizontal initiative framework: departmental funding by theme (dollars)

Horizontal initiative

Impact assessment Processes

Shared outcomes

Canada’s impact assessment processes respect the rights and culture of Indigenous peoples, and Canada’s commitment to partner with them

Canada’s impact assessment processes foster social, economic, and environmental sustainability

Stakeholders and Indigenous groups have confidence in the transparency and certainty of Canada’s impact assessment processes

Shared outcomes

Name of theme

Theme A: Impact Assessment

Theme B: Partnering with Indigenous Peoples/Reconciliation

Theme C: Cumulative Effects, Open Science and Evidence

Internal services

Theme outcome(s)

Outcome 1: Proponents are held accountable for, and comply with, the conditions set out in Decision statements

Outcome 2: Scientific and evidence-based information and Indigenous knowledge related to health, social, economic, and environmental effects are generated and available

Outcome 1: Indigenous groups play a meaningful role in all or part of assessments

Outcome 2: Indigenous knowledge and input appropriately informs assessment-related decisions

Outcome 1: Government of Canada effectively considers cumulative effects in federal impact assessment processes

Outcome 2: Impact and cumulative effects assessment in Canada reflect a commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability and respect our partnership with Indigenous peoples

Not applicable

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

$279,199,958

$92,362,150

$48,014,222

$92,102,121

Environment and Climate Change Canada

$49,752,193

Not applicable

$116,935,433

$16,416,116

Parks Canada

$14,365,167

$6,049,824

Not applicable

$1,995,289

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Not Applicable

$11,160,000

Not applicable

$1,690,000

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

$45,456,099

$19,105,410

$12,994,201

$14,343,835

Health Canada

$45,132,041

$1,330,365

$2,071,395

$3,542,924

Public Health Agency of Canada

$1,427,403

Not applicable

Not applicable

$175,319

Indigenous Services Canada

$20,069,176

$14,332,944

$22,394,860

$4,842,003

Natural Resources Canada

$50,947,907

Not applicable

$61,042,930

$9,897,242

Canada Energy Regulator

Not applicable

$70,789,346

$30,323,757

$2,829,446

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Not applicable

$33,160,000

Not applicable

$2,450,000

Transport Canada

$27,410,000

$10,570,000

$1,550,000

$3,700,000

Women and Gender Equality Canada

$2,850,000

Not applicable

Not applicable

$390,000

Horizontal initiative overview

Name of horizontal initiative

Total federal funding allocated since last renewal

2024–25 planned spending

Horizontal initiative shared outcome(s)

Performance indicator(s)

Target(s)

Date to achieve target

Impact Assessment Processes

$1,090,796,781

$217,108,119

Canada’s impact assessment processes foster social, economic, and environmental sustainability

Percentage of projects for which reporting indicates that the vast majority* of mitigation measures set out in the Decision Statement effectively address adverse effects of the project

*Vast majority = 75% or more of mitigation measures are reported as effective

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

Canada’s impact assessment processes respect the rights and culture of Indigenous peoples, and Canada’s commitment to partner with them

Percentage of Indigenous groups who agree they have a productive and collaborative relationship with IAAC

70%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups who agree they have a productive and collaborative relationship with IAAC, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups who agree they have a productive and collaborative relationship with IAAC, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis)

70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Stakeholders and Indigenous groups have confidence in the transparency and certainty of Canada’s impact assessment processes

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessments who report a high level of confidence in the transparency of the assessment process

70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessments reporting a high level of confidence in the transparency of the assessment process, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessments reporting a high level of confidence in the transparency of the assessment process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

-

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree there is certainty in the assessment process

65% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree there is certainty in the assessment process, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

65% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree there is certainty in the assessment process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

65% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

Theme A details

Name of theme

Total federal theme funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal (dollars)

2024–25 federal theme planned spending (dollars)

Theme outcome(s)

Theme performance indicator(s)

Theme target(s)

Date to achieve theme target

Impact Assessment

$535,182,541

$103,110,583

Proponents are held accountable for, and comply with, the conditions set out in Decision statements

Percentage of approved projects with a high level* of compliance with Decision Statement conditions

*High level of compliance = compliant with 90% or more of conditions

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Scientific and evidence-based information and Indigenous knowledge related to health, social, economic, and environmental effects are generated and available

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree that scientific and evidence-based information and Indigenous knowledge on key health, social, economic, and environmental effects are accessible*

*Accessible is defined by: readability, clarity, conciseness, and precision

60% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree that scientific and evidence-based information and Indigenous knowledge on key health, social, economic, and environmental effects are accessible*, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

*Accessible is defined by: readability, clarity, conciseness, and precision

60% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

-

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups reporting they have the information they need to engage in the assessment process

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups reporting they have the information they need to engage in the assessment process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Theme A horizontal initiative activities

Departments

Link to the department’s program inventory

Horizontal initiative activity (activities)

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since last renewal (dollars)

2024–25 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity target(s)

Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Assessment Administration, Conduct, and Monitoring

Assessment administration, conduct, and monitoring

$279,199,958

$52,804,109

Assessments are conducted in a manner perceived (by stakeholders, Indigenous groups, and the public) to be fair, predictable and efficient

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups indicating that the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines were effectively tailored to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the project assessment

70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups indicating that the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines were effectively tailored to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the project assessment, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

70% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Stakeholders and Indigenous groups have the capacity (knowledge, skills & abilities) to engage in the assessment process

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree that the Participant funding provided to them enhanced their capacity to engage in the assessment process

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups who agree that the Participant funding provided to them enhanced their capacity to engage in the assessment process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

-

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups reporting that they have the information they need to engage in the assessment process

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups reporting that they have the information they need to engage in the assessment process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Stakeholders and Indigenous groups meaningfully participate in the assessment process

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessment-related engagement/ consultation activities who agree they were engaged meaningfully in the process

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessment-related engagement/ consultation activities who agree they were engaged meaningfully in the process, by gender

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessment-related engagement/ consultation activities who agree they were engaged meaningfully in the process, by age

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of stakeholders and Indigenous groups participating in assessment-related engagement/ consultation activities who agree they were engaged meaningfully in the process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Environmental Assessment (indicator owner)

Species at Risk

Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships

Hydrological Services

Scientific Expertise and Advice

$49,752,193

$9,869,290

Expert environmental guidance is incorporated into impact assessments

Percentage of possible environmental effects and mitigation measures that are incorporated in the final EA/IA report in accordance with ECCC advice

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

Timely advice provided to support assessment processes

Percentage of requests for expertise and advice for an impact assessment process that adheres to service standards and process time limits

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Parks Canada

Heritage Places Conservation

Parks Canada Provides Expert Advice to Panel or IAAC led Assessments

$14,365,167

$2,243,626

Natural and cultural resources in heritage places are maintained or improved

Percentage of impact assessments where Parks Canada is involved, in which Parks Canada advice is evident in impact assessment documentation, including early planning documents or Impact Assessment reports

100%

March 2027

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fish and Fish Habitat Protection

Scientific Expertise and Advice

$33,320,646

$6,732,367

Timely advice provided to support assessment processes

Percentage of requested fish and fish habitat advice for an impact assessment process that adheres to service standards and time limits

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Aquatic Ecosystem Science

Scientific Expertise and Advice

$7,045,736

$1,416,554

Timely scientific information is available to inform impact assessments

Percentage of requested Science products for an impact assessment process that adheres to process time limits

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Fisheries Management

Scientific Expertise and Advice

$841,448

$168,290

Timely advice with respect to socio-economic impacts fisheries is available to inform impact assessments

Percentage of socio-economic /data for an impact assessment process that adheres to process time limits

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Environmental Response

Scientific Expertise and Advice

$4,248,269

$767,867

Timely advice and expertise on marine navigation, safety and incident management is available to inform impact assessments

Percentage of requests responded to within assessment timelines that include advice on marine navigation and incident management

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Health Canada

Health Impacts of Chemicals

Food and Nutrition

Expertise on potential health impacts

$45,132,041

$9,026,409

Expert advice influenced (or informed) the impact assessment of proposed projects

Percentage of impact assessments of proposed projects influenced (or informed) by Health Canada expertise

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of impact assessments of proposed projects influenced (or informed) by Health Canada expertise, by region*

* Health Canada will use the following regional structure for reporting: BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan/Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

-

Percentage of impact assessments of proposed projects with potential health impacts on Indigenous peoples influenced (or informed) by Health Canada expertise

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of impact assessments of proposed projects with potential health impacts on Indigenous peoples influenced (or informed) by Health Canada expertise, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis)

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

Timely HC expert advice is provided to the impact assessment of proposed projects

Percentage of requests for HC expertise and advice that are responded to within established timelines

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Public Health Agency of Canada

Evidence for Health promotion, and Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention

Provision of expertise and advice on potential impacts to physical and mental well-being, including social determinants of health and equity considerations

$1,427,403

$290,327

Expert public health advice is incorporated into impact assessments

Percentage of impact assessments of proposed projects influenced by PHAC expertise

Targets will be determined based on first year performance. The objective will be to maintain or exceed previous years’ results

March 2025

(annual target)

Timely PHAC expert advice is provided to the impact assessments of proposed projects

Percentage of requests for expertise and advice that are responded to within established timelines

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Indigenous Services Canada

Environmental Public Health

Subject matter expertise to review/comment on impact of environmental contaminants/changes on health determinants such as country foods and First Nations diets

$2,709,224

$484,496

Impact assessments are informed by analysis of potential health and environmental impacts on Indigenous communities

Percentage of impact assessment projects with potential health risks for which ISC provided input

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

Percentage of requests for ISC expertise and advice that are responded to within established timelines

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Land, Natural Resource and Environmental Management

Information and advice on project impacts for Indigenous peoples

$17,359,952

$2,893,292

Advice on potential socioeconomic and environmental impacts of projects on Indigenous communities is provided to inform impact assessments within established timelines

Percentage of impact assessments for which ISC provides input within established timelines

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Natural Resources Canada

Provision of Federal Leadership in the Minerals and Metals Sector

Energy and Climate Change Policy

Cumulative Effects

Geoscience for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources

Green Mining Innovation

Energy Safety and Security, and Petroleum Resources

Expertise and Advice – Science, technology, and economic

‭$18,298,815‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

$3,862,771

Timely advice provided to support Early Planning and the Impact Assessment processes

Percentage of NRCan requests for expertise and advice that are responded to within established timelines

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Nòkwewashk

Supporting the Regulatory and Legislative Requirements

‭$8,698,158‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

$1,739,784

Timely advice provided to support assessment processes

Percentage of GIC decisions made within timelines prescribed by CER processes supported by NRCan advice.

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Management and Oversight Services

Expertise and Advice – Science, technology, and economic

$1,669,872

$333,947

Timely scientific and technical advice from NRCan’s experts represented in federal impact assessment submissions, hearings and other processes

Percentage of federal impact assessment processes requesting NRCan advice where advice is provided.

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Energy Safety and Security, and Petroleum Resources

Electricity Resources

Supporting the Regulatory and Legislative Requirements

$22,281,062

$4,808,886

Legislative and regulatory development under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and CER Act

Number of Acts and regulations amended or developed

2 Acts or regulations amended or developed

December 2025

Transport Canada

Aviation Safety Regulatory Framework

Marine Safety Oversight

Rail Safety Oversight

Transportation Innovation

Protecting Oceans and Waterways

Transportation Analysis

Transportation Marketplace Frameworks

Climate Change and Clean Air

Environmental Stewardship of Transportation

Departmental Engagement in Project Reviews with components related to Transport Canada’s Mandate.

$27,410,000

$5,486,088

Transport Canada advice informs the impact assessment of a project

Percentage of impact assessments where Transport Canada is involved, in which Transport Canada advice is evident in impact assessment documentation, including early planning documents or Impact Assessment reports

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Women and Gender Equality Canada

Expertise and Outreach

Technical expertise and advice on the application of GBA Plus

$2,850,000

$472,806

Timely advice on GBA Plus and issues related to gender equality provided to support Early Planning and/or Impact Assessments

Percentage of requests for WAGE expertise and advice that are responded to within established timelines

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Expert advice on GBA Plus and issues related to gender equality influenced (or informed) the Impact Assessments

Percentage of Impact Assessments influenced (or informed) by WAGE expertise

[GBA Plus Indicator]

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

Theme B details

Name of theme

Total federal theme funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal (dollars)

2024–25 federal theme planned spending (dollars)

Theme outcome(s)

Theme performance indicator(s)

Theme target(s)

Date to achieve theme target

Partnering with Indigenous Peoples/Reconciliation

$258,860,039

$50,799,708

Indigenous groups play a meaningful role in all or part of assessments

Percentage of Indigenous groups involved in assessments indicating they had sufficient opportunities to work in partnership/collaboratively in assessment processes

60%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups involved in assessments indicating they had sufficient opportunities to work in partnership/collaboratively in assessment processes, by age

60% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups involved in assessments indicating they had sufficient opportunities to work in partnership/collaboratively in assessment processes, by gender

60% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups involved in assessments indicating they had sufficient opportunities to work in partnership/collaboratively in assessment processes, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

60% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Indigenous knowledge and input appropriately informs assessment-related decisions

Percentage of assessment reports provided to decision-makers that include how Indigenous knowledge and perspectives were considered

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Theme B horizontal initiative activities

Departments

Link to the department’s program inventory

Horizontal initiative activity (activities)

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal (dollars)

2024–25 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity target(s)

Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Indigenous relations and engagement

Indigenous relations and engagement

$92,362,150

$18,407,112

Indigenous groups and organizations are able to support the development of local and regional Indigenous impact assessment knowledge and capacity

Percentage of implicated Indigenous groups who agree they have been able to develop/increase their local and regional impact assessment knowledge and regional capacity

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of implicated Indigenous groups who agree they have been able to develop/increase their local and regional impact assessment knowledge and regional capacity, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of implicated Indigenous groups who agree they have been able to develop/increase their local and regional impact assessment knowledge and regional capacity, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Indigenous groups have resources (financial support) to provide advice/ knowledge and participate in EA/IA related processes and policy development

Percentage of funded Indigenous groups agreeing that the access to financial support enabled them to provide advice and knowledge in assessment or policy development processes

90%

March 2025 (annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of funded Indigenous groups agreeing that the access to financial support enabled them to provide advice and knowledge in assessment or policy development processes, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of funded Indigenous groups agreeing that the access to financial support enabled them to provide advice and knowledge in assessment or policy development processes, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Increased assessment capacity among Indigenous groups

Percentage of Indigenous Capacity Support Program partners who indicate that the eligible activities provided sufficient knowledge and skills to the Indigenous groups to enable them to engage in the assessment process

80%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous Capacity Support Program partners who indicate that the eligible activities provided sufficient knowledge and skills to the Indigenous groups to enable them to engage in the assessment process, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

80% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous Capacity Support Program partners who indicate that the eligible activities provided sufficient knowledge and skills to the Indigenous groups to enable them to engage in the assessment process, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

80% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

-

Number of products advancing from assessment basics

Cumulative positive trend over time (sum increases over time)

March 2025

(annual target)

Increased capacity to provide advice and feedback on Assessment-related policies, guidelines, tools and practices

Percentage of Indigenous groups receiving Policy Development Program funding indicating that the collaboration and engagement opportunities provided them with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide advice and feedback

75%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups receiving Policy Development Program funding indicating that the collaboration and engagement opportunities provided them with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide advice and feedback, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

75% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups receiving Policy Development Program funding indicating that the collaboration and engagement opportunities provided them with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide advice and feedback, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and non-Indigenous

75% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups receiving Policy Development Program funding indicating that the collaboration and engagement opportunities provided them with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide advice and feedback, by age

75% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups receiving Policy Development Program funding indicating that the collaboration and engagement opportunities provided them with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide advice and feedback, by gender

75% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Indigenous communities meaningfully participate in the development of policy instruments, regulations, training & guidance documents

Percentage of Indigenous groups participating in the development of policy instruments, regulations, and training and guidance documents indicating the engagement was meaningful

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups participating in the development of policy instruments, regulations, and training and guidance documents indicating the engagement was meaningful, by region*

*According to regions used by IAAC to track projects: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, Pacific and Yukon

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups participating in the development of policy instruments, regulations, and training and guidance documents indicating the engagement was meaningful, by Indigenous group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis)

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups participating in the development of policy instruments, regulations, and training and guidance documents indicating the engagement was meaningful, by age

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

GBA Plus

Percentage of Indigenous groups participating in the development of policy instruments, regulations, and training and guidance documents indicating the engagement was meaningful, by gender

90% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2025

(annual target)

Parks Canada

Heritage Places Conservation

Indigenous Consultation within the Impact Assessment System

$6,049,824

$1,155,904

Decision-making and governance at heritage places is grounded in collaborative approaches that reflect both Indigenous and western conservation values and knowledge

Percentage of impact assessments in which Parks Canada supports Indigenous consultations where Parks Canada’s mandate is implicated

100%

March 2027

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Consultation and Accommodation

Advice and expertise on Indigenous consultation and accommodation

$11,160,000

$1,718,869

Increased opportunities for partnerships in impact assessments and policy development

Percentage of major projects undergoing impact assessment supported through advice

40%

March 2025

(annual target)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fish & Fish Habitat Protection

Indigenous consultation and engagement

$12,760,518

$2,578,219

DFO participates in IA Crown consultation process as requested.

Percentage of IAs for which DFO participates in Crown consultation process

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Fisheries Management

Indigenous consultation and engagement

$6,344,892

$1,279,133

Evidence-based advice with respect to possible Indigenous fisheries implications available to inform impact assessments

Percentage of IAs that requested Indigenous fisheries advice and adhere to service standards

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Health Canada

Health Impacts of Chemicals

Indigenous engagement

$1,330,365

$298,073

Indigenous peoples have increased capacity to meaningfully engage on health issues in the IA process

Percentage of Indigenous groups receiving funding who indicated HC contributions funding increased their capacity to meaningfully engage on health issues in the IA process

80%

March 2028

Indigenous Services Canada

Environmental Public Health

Funding source to support First Nations communities in the development of and the undertaking of their own baseline studies and to support capacity building in advance of an assessment

$4,450,400

$783,400

First Nations and the federal government have capacity to engage in the investigation of environmental hazards

Number of community based baseline studies conducted to support impact assessments

2 large baseline projects

March 2027

(cumulative target– 10 projects over 5 years)

Regional Indigenous Health Impact Assessment Coordinator support to Indigenous communities

$9,882,544

$1,647,024

First Nations and the federal government have capacity to engage in the investigation of environmental hazards

Percentage of impact assessments in First Nations communities where community input on potential health risks were supported by a coordinator

90%

March 2027

First Nations and the federal government have capacity to engage in the investigation of environmental hazards

Number of regional training workshops related to HIA

5 workshops

March 2027

Canada Energy Regulator

Indigenous Engagement

Company Performance

Infrastructure, Tolls, and Export Applications

Indigenous Relations and Engagement

$20,608,772

$3,608,387

Input provided by Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders influences CER’s decisions and work.

Evidence that input from Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders influences CER’s decisions and work.

Narrative evidence

Not applicable

Infrastructure, Tolls, and Export Applications

Indigenous Engagement

Regulatory Framework

Grants and Contributions financial support

$22,433,491

$6,679,212

Indigenous groups have resources (financial support) to participate in adjudication processes, Crown consultation activities, policy dialogue, lifecycle oversight activities, Indigenous advisory committees, and research.

Percentage of recipients who agree that funding enabled their participation in the activities for which funding was provided i.e. adjudication processes, Crown consultation activities, policy dialogue, lifecycle oversight activities, Indigenous advisory committees, and research.

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

Infrastructure, Tolls, and Export Applications

Legal Services

Indigenous Engagement

Crown Consultation

$27,747,083

$4,372,332

Potentially affected Indigenous peoples are consulted through the Commission’s assessment process or CER Crown consultation activities

Percentage of communities on the Crown list that participate in Crown consultation or hearing processes or indicate that they are not going to participate

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Scientific, Regulatory and Public Information

Indigenous collaboration and engagement

Indigenous Capacity

$33,160,000

$6,158,034

Increased capacity for Indigenous peoples to meaningfully participate in regulatory processes

Percentage of Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders* who indicated the funding provided increased capacity to meaningfully participate in CNSC’s regulatory process, by region (wherein “by region” means by Province/Territory)

[GBA Plus Indicator]

*For the CNSC, examples of stakeholders include non-governmental organizations and members of the public

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

Increased satisfaction of Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders with the CNSC’s regulatory processes and engagement activities

90% OR 10% greater than baseline (whichever is a higher %)

March 2028

Number of established relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities

14

March 2025

Transport Canada

Indigenous Partnerships and Engagement

Indigenous Consultation within the Impact Assessment System

$10,570,000

$2,114,009

Specialist or expert information or knowledge supports and informs Indigenous consultations across all phases of an impact assessment

Percentage of impact assessments in which Transport Canada supports Indigenous consultations where Transport Canada’s mandate is implicated

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Theme C details

Name of theme

Total federal theme funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal (dollars)

2024–25 federal theme planned spending (dollars)

Theme outcome(s)

Theme performance indicator(s)

Theme target(s)

Date to achieve theme target

Cumulative Effects, Open Science and Evidence

$294,754,201

$63,197,828

Cumulative Effects Coordination and Leadership

Government of Canada effectively considers cumulative effects in federal impact assessment processes

Percentage of federal reports and decisions arising from federal impact assessment processes that explicitly speak to cumulative effects (or similar, e.g. cumulative impacts)

80%

March 2025

(annual target)

Impact and cumulative effects assessment in Canada reflect a commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability and respect our partnership with Indigenous peoples

Percentage of Open Science and Data Platform (OSDP) users who indicate they accessed the open science and data platform to: facilitate participation in IA and/or regulatory processes; or understand and/or better manage cumulative effects; or consider Indigenous Knowledge open information

70%

March 2025

(annual target)

Theme C horizontal initiative activities

Departments

Link to the department’s program inventory

Horizontal initiative activity (activities)

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal (dollars)

2024–25 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s)

2024–25 horizontal initiative activity target(s)

Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Assessment, Administration, Conduct and Monitoring

Regional and strategic assessment

$48,014,222

$9,488,301

Information, science and evidence are generated and inform assessment processes

Number of regional and strategic assessments underway and in planning

Always have a minimum of two assessments underway concurrently and a third in planning

March 2025

(annual target)

Proportion of proponents/federal authorities/review panels indicating that regional and strategic assessments provided useful information for the conduct of designated project assessments

60% (To be confirmed once input is received when baseline is set in 2023-24)

March 2026

(annual target after 2025-26)

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Species at Risk

Regional Assessments

$78,183,406

$16,238,830

Enhanced knowledge about environmental baselines and the prediction of impacts are provided in Regional Assessments to inform the consideration of cumulative effects in project impact assessments

Percentage of scientific studies, surveys, models and assessments completed per year to support the assessment of baseline conditions and manage cumulative effects to species at risk (SAR), migratory birds, and wetlands in areas identified for Regional Assessments

90% of planned studies (pertaining to SAR, migratory birds, or wetlands) are completed per reporting period, in each Regional Assessment region

March 2025

(annual target)

Knowledge on cumulative effects relevant to Indigenous peoples is incorporated into Regional Assessments

Percentage of Indigenous communities who access G&C capacity funding to enable contributions to the assessment of CE and identification of impacts

90% of identified Indigenous groups access capacity funding

March 2025

(annual target)

Environmental Assessment program

Strategic Assessments

-

-

GHG assessments are conducted with a nationally consistent methodology*

*Intent is to maximize a project’s GHG emission reductions to the extent possible under the federal review process

Percentage of projects under federal review that receive SACC advice on GHG emissions.

100% of requests submitted to ECCC

March 2025

(annual target)

Environmental Assessment Program

Open science and data, and Cumulative Effects Coordination

$38,752,027

$7,693,914

Cumulative effects information on the OSDP informs impact assessments of designated projects

Percentage of new designated projects or regional assessments under the IAA for which the federal team indicates that information provided in a tailored OSDP presentation/email* are useful for informing their work

80%

March 2025

(annual target)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fish & Fish Habitat Protection

Scientific expertise and advice

$6,713,244

$1,344,386

Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program inputs into regional assessments as required

Percentage of requested fish and fish habitat advice for a regional assessment process that adheres to service standards

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Aquatic Ecosystems Science

Scientific expertise and advice

$6,280,957

$1,254,712

Timely scientific information on fish and fish habitat and effectiveness of relevant management measures is available to inform regional assessments

Percentage of requested Science products for a regional assessment that adhere to process time limits

100%

March 2025 (annual target)

Health Canada

Health Impacts of Chemicals

Expertise on human health impacts

$2,071,395

$414,279

Expert advice influenced (or informed) the assessment of cumulative impacts of resource and infrastructure development

Percentage of assessments of cumulative effects influenced (or informed) by Health Canada expertise

90%

March 2025

(annual target)

Indigenous Services Canada

Land, Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Support the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects

$22,394,860

$4,478,932

ICCE has adequate support to implement its strategic plan to build community capacity and provide access to expert knowledge around cumulative effects

Percentage of administrative and financial requests for which ISC provided support to ICCE, within appropriate service standards

100%

March 2025 (annual target)

Percentage of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities satisfied with services received through the Centre

80% of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities and/or organizations are satisfied with the Centre’s services

March 2025

(annual target)

Natural Resources Canada

Innovative Geospatial Solutions

Geoscience for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Program

Regional and Strategic assessment

$24,145,331

$2,627,718

Understanding the impacts of cumulative effects assessment is enabled through publicly available information

Percentage increase of cumulative effects relevant records* made accessible to support increased understanding of cumulative effects of development

*Records could include datasets, science publications, information about development or regulatory activities, or Indigenous knowledge open information

10 percent increase per year starting in 2023

March 2028

(annual target)

Core Geospatial Data

Geoscience for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Program

Information Technology Services

Regional and Strategic assessment

$11,693,264

$5,002,696

Current and future cumulative effects and project impact assessments have access to data describing the status and trends of critical ecosystem parameters

Percentage of NRCan baseline datasets and related science made available via the Open Science and Data Platform

Five to ten percent increase per year (varying per sector) from baselines established in 2023-2024 (linear annual increase based on fixed baseline – i.e. not cumulative growth)

March 2028

(annual target)

Cumulative Effects

Sustainable Forest Management

Regional and Strategic assessment

$15,124,509

$3,024,592

Current and future cumulative effects and project impact assessments have access to critical forest data

Percentage of forest data and related science for cumulative effects, including updates and enhancements, made available via the OSDP

Five percent increase of forest data products per year, starting in 2023, relative to baselines to be established in 2023-2024 (linear annual increase based on fixed baseline – i.e. not cumulative growth)

March 2028

(annual target)

Geoscience for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources

Regional and Strategic assessment

$10,079,826

$2,634,659

NRCan marine geoscience products inform Marine Spatial Planning in impact Assessments, as well as cumulative effects and project assessments in the offshore.

Percentage of marine geoscience expeditions that lead to associated data releases that inform DFO-led Marine Spatial Planning, cumulative effects assessments (e.g., RA) or project assessments in the offshore.

All (100%) of marine expeditions

March 2028

(annual target)

Canada Energy Regulator

Information Technology

Integrated Open Science and Data Platform

$7,606,877

$1,393,592

Canadians have access to environmental and socio-economic assessment data from energy project applications for knowledge, research and decision-making

Evidence that Canadians access and use information* from a new data and information product referred to as BERDI (Biophysical, Economic, Regional Data and information).

*Information and data is extracted from environmental socio-economic assessments on major pipeline project applications which could contribute to the understanding of cumulative effects.

Narrative Evidence

Not applicable

Percentage of new datasets* added to Biophysical, Economic, Regional Data and Information (BERDI) tool

*Datasets from BERDI will be made available on the Open Science and Data Platform

80%

March 2025

(annual target)

Energy System Information

Pipeline Information

Information Technology

Data and Information Innovation

$22,716,880

$6,999,892

Canadians access and use energy information for knowledge, research and decision making.

Evidence that Canadians access and use CER energy information products and specialized expertise, including community-specific information, for knowledge, research or decision making

Narrative evidence

Not applicable

Number of system enhancements that integrate science or cumulative effects data to improve public accessibility or efficiency of the regulatory system.

10% increase each year from baseline established in 2023-24

March 2025

(annual target)

Transport Canada

Environmental Stewardship of Transportation

Transport Canada supports regional and strategic assessments

$1,550,000

$310,999

TC knowledge informs regional or strategic assessments that intersect with the Department’s mandate.

Percentage of regional or strategic assessments that were informed by Transport Canada knowledge, where TC’s mandate is implicated

100%

March 2025

(annual target)

Total spending, all themes

Theme

Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal (dollars)

2024–25 total federal planned spending (dollars)

Theme A

$535,182,541

$103,110,583

Theme B

$258,860,039

$50,799,708

Theme C

$294,754,201

$63,197,828

Total, all themes

$1,090,796,781

$217,108,119

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