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Practitioners Glossary for the Environmental Assessment of Designated Projects Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012

This document provides guidance on federal environmental assessments commenced under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. It is retained for the completion of transitional environmental assessments commenced prior to the Impact Assessment Act. For more information on transitional environmental assessments, please consult the Legislation and Regulations page.

March 2015

Document information

Disclaimer

The Practitioners Glossary for the Environmental Assessment of Designated Projects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 is for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) or any of its regulations. In the event of any inconsistency between this guide and CEAA 2012 or regulations, CEAA 2012 or regulations would prevail.

For the most up-to-date versions of CEAA 2012 and regulations, please consult the Department of Justice website.

Updates

This document may be reviewed and updated periodically by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency). For the most up-to-date version, please consult the Policy and Guidance page of the Agency website.

Copyright

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2015.

This publication may be reproduced for personal or internal use without permission, provided the source is fully acknowledged. However, multiple copy reproduction of this publication in whole or in part for purposes of redistribution requires the prior written permission from the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S5 or copyright.droitdauteur@pwgsc.gc.ca.

Catalogue No.: En106-58/2012E-PDF
ISBN: 978-1-100-20064-4

Ce document a été publié en français sous le titre: Glossaire des praticiens pour l’évaluation environnementale des projets désignés en vertu de la Loi canadienne sur l’évaluation environnementale (2012).

Alternative formats may be requested by contacting: info@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

This document is also available in Adobe's Portable Document Format [PDF - 712 KB].

Glossary Overview

Purpose of the glossary

This glossary was prepared by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) to assist practitioners in implementing CEAA 2012. It also supports Agency training and guidance materials. It defines or explains terms that are commonly used in relation to environmental assessments under CEAA 2012.

Additional guidance

It is recommended that the “Interpretation” section of CEAA2012 and relevant regulations also be consulted when using this glossary.

It is also recommended that the reader consult Annex A of the Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult for additional definitions related to Aboriginal Consultation.

If you need further advice or information, please contact the Agency Head Office or your Regional Office.

Acronyms

The following is a list of acronyms used in this glossary:

EA
Environmental Assessment
CEAA2012
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012
the Agency
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
the Registry[1]
Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry

Index of key terms

Note: Terms in italics are defined in CEAA 2012 and are reproduced in this glossary.

- A -

- B -

- C -

- D -

- E -

- F -

- G -

- H -

- I -

- J -

- K -

- L -

- M -

- N -

- O -

- P -

- Q -

- R -

- S -

- T -

- U -

- V -

- W -

- X -

- Y -

- Z -

Explanation of terms

-A -

Aboriginal consultation

The Agency’s approach to Aboriginal Crown consultation, which is premised on the legal duty to consult, is grounded in the Government of Canada’s Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation: Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult.

The Government of Canada consults with Aboriginal people as part of the environmental assessment (EA) process for a variety of reasons, including: statutory and contractual obligations, policy and good governance, and the common law duty to consult.

The Government of Canada takes a "Whole of Government" approach to Aboriginal consultation in the context of EAs to ensure that Aboriginal groups are sufficiently consulted when the Crown (federal government) contemplates action(s) that may adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights. These rights are recognized and affirmed in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

CEAA 2012 provides for EA by a responsible authority and EA by a review panel (including by a joint review panel).

The Agency acts as the Crown Consultation Coordinator to integrate the Government of Canada's Aboriginal consultation activities into the EA process to the greatest extent possible. This applies to all EAs for which the Agency is the responsible authority, including review panels.

French translation: consultation auprès des Autochtones

Aboriginal traditional knowledge

Knowledge that is held by, and unique to Aboriginal peoples. Section 19 of CEAA 2012 includes community knowledge and Aboriginal traditional knowledge as factors that may be considered in the EA of a designated project.

Note: The term “traditional ecological knowledge” is often used interchangeably with the term Aboriginal traditional knowledge”. However, traditional ecological knowledge is generally considered a subset of Aboriginal traditional knowledge that is primarily concerned with knowledge about the environment.

French translation: connaissances traditionnelles autochtones

Adaptive management

Consists of a planned and systematic process for continuously improving environmental management practices by learning about their outcomes. It involves, among other things, the implementation of new or modified mitigation measures over the life of a project to address unanticipated environmental effects.

The need to implement adaptive management measures may be determined through an effective follow-up program.

French translation: gestion adaptative

Agency

Means the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

The Agency is a federal body accountable to the Minister of the Environment. The Agency provides high-quality EA that contributes to informed decision making, in support of sustainable development. The Agency is the responsible authority for most federal EAs. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the National Energy Board are the authorities responsible for federal EAs of designated projects they regulate.

French translation: Agence

Alternative means of carrying out a designated project

The various technically and economically feasible ways, other than the proposed way, for a designated project to be implemented or carried out.

Examples include consideration of other project locations, different routes, alternative mitigation measures, and other methods of project development and implementation.

French translation: autres moyens de réaliser un projet désigné

Assessment by a review panel

As defined in CEAA 2012, “assessment by a review panel” means an environmental assessment that is conducted by a review panel.

French translation: examen par une commission

- B -

- C -

Community knowledge

Information held by community members, such as farmers, hunters, fishers and naturalists, who are familiar with the environment in a specific geographic area. Section 19 of CEAA 2012 includes community knowledge and Aboriginal traditional knowledge as factors that may be considered in the EA of a designated project.

For example, fishermen in a specific area may know where the best “fishing spots” are, and therefore may contribute to identifying potential fish habitat.

French translation: connaissances des collectivités

Compliance

Conforming with or fulfilling the requirements of CEAA 2012, including conditions in relation to the environmental effects of a designated project that are specified in the EA decision statement.

French translation: conformité

Compliance promotion

Proactive activities to ensure that proponents of projects are aware of the requirements of CEAA 2012.

Compliance promotion measures may include communication and publication of information, and consultation with parties affected by the law.

French translation: promotion de la conformité

Coordination

Cooperation between jurisdictions so that some or all components of the EA for designated projects, which require an assessment by both jurisdictions, is conducted jointly. Both jurisdictions are full and active partners in the assessment and maintain authority and responsibility with respect to their own EA requirements, including public participation.

French translation: coordination

Crown consultation coordinator

Refers to the entity responsible for the coordination of Aboriginal consultation activities during the EA process. When the Agency is the responsible authority for an EA, it also assumes the role of Crown consultation coordinator.

French translation: coordonnateur des consultations de la Couronne

Cumulative environmental effects

The environmental effects likely to result from a designated project in combination with other physical activities that have been or will be carried out.

French translation: effets environnementaux cumulatifs

- D -

Delegation

Under CEAA 2012, the Agency may delegate to any person, body or jurisdiction, including another federal authority or a provincial government or agency, the role of carrying out any part of an EA of a designated project, when not referred to a review panel, and the preparation of the EA report with respect to the EA of a designated project, with the exception of the EA decisions.

French translation: délégation

Designated project

As defined in CEAA 2012, “designated project” means one or more physical activitiesthat

  1. are carried out in Canada or on federal lands;
  2. are designated by regulations made under paragraph 84(a) or designated in an order made by the Minister under subsection 14(2); and
  3. are linked to the same federal authority as specified in those regulations or that order.

It includes any physical activity that is incidental to those physical activities.

French translation: projet désigné

Determination of significance

A conclusion as to whether the designated project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.

French translation: détermination de l’importance

- E -

Enforcement

Actions or activities to verify that a proponent is in compliance with the requirements of CEAA 2012, compel compliance, or respond to violations. Specific provisions within CEAA 2012 provide the authority for these actions.

French translation: application de la Loi

Environment

As defined in CEAA 2012, “environment” means the components of the Earth, and includes:

  1. land, water and air, including all layers of the atmosphere,
  2. all organic and inorganic matter and living organisms, and
  3. the interacting natural systems that include components referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).

French translation: environnement

Environmental assessment

As defined in CEAA 2012, “environmental assessment” means an assessment of theenvironmental effects of a designated project that is conducted in accordance with this Act.

An EA predicts the environmental effects of a designated project, identifies mitigation measures, assesses whether the designated project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects taking into account identified mitigation measures, and ensures a follow-up program is designated to verify the accuracy of the EA of the designated project and effectiveness of any mitigation measures.

French translation: évaluation environnementale

Environmental assessment decision statement

Statement in relation to the EA decisions issued by the decision maker to the proponent of a designated project at the end of the EA, that:

  1. informs the proponent of the EA decisions, and
  2. identifies the conditions, in relation to the designated project, that the proponent must comply with.

French translation: déclaration des décisions de l’évaluation environnementale

Environmental assessment decisions

The decision maker must decide if, taking into account the implementation of any mitigation measures that the decision maker considers appropriate, the designated project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. For EAs conducted by the Agency, by review panel or by a substituted process, the EA decisions are made by the Minister of the Environment who issues an EA decision statement. The EA decisions are based on the EA report or a review panel’s report with respect to the EA of the designated project.

If the Minister's decisions are that the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, the matter is referred to the Governor in Council (Cabinet) who will then decide if those environmental effects are justified in the circumstances.

French translation: décisions de l’évaluation environnementale

Environmental assessment report

Document summarizing the EA process that takes into consideration the analysis by the proponent and associated perspectives of expert federal authorities, the public, Aboriginal groups, the province (as appropriate) and the responsible authority. The EA report must provide sufficient information to the decision maker (the responsible authority, or when the Agency is the responsible authority, the Minister of the Environment) to enable a determination of whether the designated project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, taking into account the implementation of mitigation measures that are also considered appropriate by the decision maker. The EA report also documents the planning process and how the conclusions and recommendations were made.

In the case of a review panel, the EA report is the review panel report.

French translation: rapport d’évaluation environnementale

Environmental assessment working group

In some jurisdictions, it is standard practice to establish an EA working group that enables the coordination of key parties involved in an EA, including the federal government, other jurisdictions, Aboriginal groups, as appropriate, and the proponent.

French translation: groupe de travail sur l’évaluation environnementale

Environmental component

Fundamental element of the physical, biological or socio-economic environment, including the air, water, soil, terrain, vegetation, wildlife, fish, birds and land use that may be affected by a designated project, and may be assessed in an EA.

See also Valued component.

French translation: composante environnementale

Environmental effects

The environmental effects that must be taken into account under CEAA 2012, as described in section 5 of CEAA 2012.

5. (1) For the purposes of this Act, the environmental effects that are to be taken into account in relation to an act or thing, a physical activity, a designated project or a project are

  1. a change that may be caused to the following components of the environment that are within the legislative authority of Parliament:
    1. fish as defined in section 2 of the Fisheries Act and fish habitat as defined in subsection 34(1) of that Act,
    2. aquatic species as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Species at Risk Act,
    3. migratory birds as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and
    4. any other component of the environment that is set out in Schedule 2;
  2. a change that may be caused to the environment that would occur
    1. on federal lands,
    2. in a province other than the one in which the act or thing is done or where the physical activity, the designated project or the project is being carried out, or
    3. outside Canada; and
  3. (c) with respect to aboriginal peoples, an effect occurring in Canada of any change that may be caused to the environment on
    1. health and socio-economic conditions,
    2. physical and cultural heritage,
    3. the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, or
    4. any structure, site or thing that is of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance.

5.(2) However, if the carrying out of the physical activity, the designated project or the project requires a federal authority to exercise a power or perform a duty or function conferred on it under any Act of Parliament other than this Act, the following environmental effects are also to be taken into account:

  1. a change, other than those referred to in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b), that may be caused to the environment and that is directly linked or necessarily incidental to a federal authority’s exercise of a power or performance of a duty or function that would permit the carrying out, in whole or in part, of the physical activity, the designated project or the project; and
  2. an effect, other than those referred to in paragraph (1)(c), of any change referred to in paragraph (a) on
    1. health and socio-economic conditions,
    2. physical and cultural heritage, or
    3. any structure, site or thing that is of historical, archaeological, paleontological or architectural significance.

5.(3) The Governor in Council may, by order, amend Schedule 2 to add or remove a component of the environment.

French translation: effets environnementaux

Environmental impact statement

A detailed technical document prepared by the proponent of a designated project to be assessed pursuant to CEAA 2012. The environmental impact statement identifies the potential adverse environmental effects of a designated project including cumulative effects, measures to mitigate those effects, and an evaluation of whether the designated project is likely to cause any significant adverse environmental effects.

French translation: étude d’impact environnemental

Environmental impact statement guidelines

A document that identifies for the proponent the information requirements for the preparation of an environmental impact statement for a designated project to be assessed pursuant to CEAA 2012. This document specifies the nature, scope and extent of the information required.

French translation: lignes directrices de l’étude d’impact environnemental

Environmental monitoring

Periodic or continuous surveillance or testing of one or more environmental components according to a pre-determined schedule.

Monitoring is usually conducted to determine the level of compliance with stated requirements, or to observe the status and trends of a particular environmental component over time.

French translation: surveillance environnementale

Environmental protection plan

A practical tool that describes certain actions to minimize environmental effects before, during and after implementation of a designated project.

The plan may include details about the nature and implementation of certain mitigation measures identified in an EA.

French translation: plan de protection de l’environnement

Equivalency

On the recommendation of the Minister of the Environment and by order, the exemption of a designated project from the application of CEAA 2012 by the Governor in Council under conditions specified in CEAA 2012, if an equivalent EA is conducted by a province.

French translation: équivalence

Expert federal authority

A federal department or agency that possesses specialist or expert knowledge and information that may be necessary for conducting an EA. Upon request, the expert federal authority must make available that knowledge or information. This expertise can be used when the Agency is determining whether an EA is required, or while conducting an EA under CEAA 2012, or while implementing the mitigation measures or a follow-up program.

French translation: autorité fédérale experte

- F -

Factors to be considered

Elements described in section 19 of CEAA 2012 that must be taken into account in an EA.

Examples of factors include: environmental effects of a designated project, its cumulative environmental effects, the significance of the environmental effects, public comments, and technically and economically feasible mitigation measures for addressing the significant adverse environmental effects.

French translation: éléments à examiner

Federal authority

As defined in CEAA 2012, “federal authority” means

  1. a Minister of the Crown in right of Canada;
  2. an agency of the Government of Canada or a parent Crown corporation, as defined in subsection 83(1) of the Financial Administration Act, or any other body established by or under an Act of Parliament that is ultimately accountable through a Minister of the Crown in right of Canada to Parliament for the conduct of its affairs;
  3. any department or departmental corporation that is set out in Schedule I or II to the Financial Administration Act; and
  4. any other body that is set out in Schedule 1.

It does not include the Executive Council of -- or a minister, department, agency or body of the government of -- Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, a council of the band within the meaning of the Indian Act, Export Development Canada or the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. It also does not include a Crown corporation that is a wholly-owned subsidiary, as defined in subsection 83(1) of the Financial Administration Act, a harbour commission established under the Harbour Commissions Act or a not-for-profit corporation that enters into an agreement under subsection 80(5) of the Canada Marine Act, that is not set out in Scedule 1.

French translation: autorité fédérale

Federal lands

As defined in CEAA 2012, “federal lands” means

  1. lands that belong to Her Majesty in right of Canada, or that Her Majesty in right of Canada has the power to dispose of, and all waters on and airspace above those lands, other than lands under the administration and control of the Commissioner of Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut;
  2. the following lands and areas:
    1. the internal waters of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province,
    2. the territorial sea of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province,
    3. the exclusive economic zone of Canada, and
    4. the continental shelf of Canada, and
  3. reserves, surrendered lands and any other lands that are set apart for the use and benefit of a band and that are subject to the Indian Act, and all waters on and airspace above those reserves or lands.

French translation: territoire domanial

Federal-only environmental assessment

An EA of a designated project under CEAA 2012 where the designated project is not subject to an assessment by another jurisdiction, or there is no cooperative EA being conducted between a responsible authority and another jurisdiction.

French translation: évaluation environnementale strictement fédérale

Follow-up program

As defined in CEAA 2012, "follow-up program" means a program for

  1. verifying the accuracy of the environmental assessment of a designated project, and
  2. determining the effectiveness of any mitigation measures.

French translation: programme de suivi

- G -

- H -

- I -

Interested party

As defined in subsection 1 of Section 2 of CEAA 2012, “interested party”, with respect to a designated project, means any person or body who is determined, under subsection (2), to be an “interested party”.

Under subsection 2 of Section 2 of CEAA 2012, a person is an interested party if, in the opinion of the responsible authority referred to in paragraph 15(b) of CEAA 2012 (i.e. National Energy Board) or of a review panel, the person is directly affected by the carrying out of the designated project or has relevant information or expertise.

French translation: partie intéressée

Internet site

As defined in CEAA 2012, “Internet site” means the Internet site that is established under section 79.

For the purpose of facilitating public access to records relating to environmental assessments and providing notice in a timely manner of those assessments, there is to be a registry called the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, consisting of an Internet site and project files.

French translation: site Internet

- J -

Joint review panel

When a designated project that undergoes an EA by review panel requires an EA by the federal government and a province or another jurisdiction, a joint review panel can be established to avoid duplication.

A joint review panel agreement would be negotiated between the federal government and the other jurisdiction for each review, outlining the review process and terms of reference for the joint review panel.

French translation: commission d’examen conjoint

Jurisdiction

As defined in CEAA 2012, "jurisdiction" means

  1. a federal authority;
  2. any agency or body that is established under an Act of the Parliament and that has powers, duties or functions in relation to an assessment of the environmental effects of a designated project;
  3. the government of a province;
  4. any agency or body that is established under an Act of the legislature of a province and that has powers, duties or functions in relation to an assessment of the environmental effects of a designated project;
  5. any body that is established under a land claims agreement referred to in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and that has powers, duties or functions in relation to an assessment of the environmental effects of a designated project;
  6. a governing body that is established under legislation that relates to the self-government of Indians and that has powers, duties or functions in relation to an assessment of the environmental effects of a designated project;
  7. a government of a foreign state or of a subdivision of a foreign state, or any institution of such a government; and
  8. an international organization of states or any institution of such an organization.

French translation: instance

- K -

- L -

- M -

Minister

As defined in CEAA 2012, "Minister" means the Minister of the Environment.

French translation: Ministre

Mitigation measures

As defined in CEAA 2012, "mitigation measures" means measures for the elimination, reduction or control of the adverse environmental effects of a designated project, and includes restitution for any damage to the environment caused by those effects through replacement, restoration, compensation or any other means.

French translation: mesures d’atténuation

- N -

- O -

- P -

Participant funding program

A limited fund administered by the Agency to support the participation of Canadians, Aboriginal groups, and incorporated not-for-profit organizations in key stages of the EA process.

Individuals, Aboriginal groups and not-for-profit organizations may apply for funding to cover expenses incurred while participating in the EA such as fees for expert advice, travel expenses, and local collection and distribution of information.

French translation: programme d’aide financière aux participants

Physical work

Anything that has been or will be constructed (human-made) and has a fixed location. Examples include a bridge, building or pipeline. Natural water bodies, airplanes and ships at sea are not physical works.

French translation: ouvrage

Practitioner

A person directly involved in some aspect of the conduct or direction of an EA. A practitioner could be a proponent, a consultant, a representative of the government or have some other affiliation.

French translation: praticien

Project

As defined in section 66 of CEAA 2012, “project” means a physical activity that is carried out on federal lands or outside Canada in relation to a physical work and is not a designated project.

This definition relates to the responsibilities of certain authorities for projects on federal lands and outside Canada, as opposed to responsibilities in relation to “designated projects”.

French translation: projet

Project description

A required document prepared by the proponent of a designated project for which the Agency is the responsible authority - the project description requirement does not apply to designated project for which the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission or the National Energy Board is the responsible authority. Proponents are required to submit a description of the designated project to the Agency to inform a decision on whether an EA of the designated project is required. The project description must include the information set out in the Prescribed Information for the Description of a Designated Project Regulations – including information about the possible adverse environmental effects of the project.

French translation: description de projet

Proponent

As defined in CEAA 2012, “proponent” means the person, body, federal authority or government that proposes the carrying out of a designated project.

French translation: promoteur

Public participation

Public participation in a federal EA can involve activities such as submitting written comments on an EA document or attending information sessions related to a designated project, among other opportunities for involvement.

There are several opportunities for the public to participate in the federal EA process for a designated project. Public participation in federal EA ensures an open, balanced process and strengthens the quality and credibility of a project's review. Local and traditional knowledge about a project's physical location can help identify and address potential environmental effects at the early stage of an EA.

French translation: participation du public

- Q -

- R -

Record

As defined in CEAA 2012, “record” includes any correspondence, memorandum, book, plan, map, drawing, diagram, pictorial or graphic work, photograph, film, microform, sound recording, videotape, machine readable record, and any other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, and any copy of it.

French translation: document

Regional study

Under CEAA 2012, a committee may be established by the Minister of the Environment to conduct a study of the effects of existing or future physical activities carried out in a region that is entirely on federal lands. The results of a regional study must be considered in all relevant screenings and EAs conducted by the Agency.

CEAA 2012 provides the authority to the Minister of the Environment to enter into an agreement with another jurisdiction to establish a joint committee to conduct a regional study in a region composed in part of federal lands or completely outside federal lands.

French translation: étude régionale

Registry

As defined in CEAA 2012, “registry” means the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry established under section 78.

The Registry is an information system that facilitates public access to records related to EAs of designated projects conducted under CEAA 2012 and provides notice in a timely manner of those assessments.

The Registry consists of two complementary components:

  • an Internet site containing key information about EAs conducted under CEAA 2012, and
  • project files containing all records produced, collected or submitted with respect to an EA.

French translation: registre

Residual environmental effect

An environmental effect of a designated project that remains, or is predicted to remain, after mitigation measures have been implemented.

French translation: effet environnemental résiduel

Responsible authority

As defined in CEAA 2012, “responsible authority” means the authority that is referred to in section 15 with respect to adesignated project that is subject to anenvironmental assessment.

An entity referred to as a responsible authority is required, among other things, to ensure that an EA of the designated project is conducted and a report is prepared in respect of that EA.

There are three responsible authorities under CEAA 2012:

  • the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for a designated project that includes activities regulated under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act,
  • the National Energy Board for a designated project that includes activities regulated under the National Energy Board Act or the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act; and
  • the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency for a designated project that includes activities that are linked to the Agency under the Regulations Designating Physical Activities.

The Governor in Council may, by regulations, designate as responsible authorities other federal authorities that perform regulatory functions and that may hold public hearings.

French translation: autorité responsable

Review panel

One or more individuals appointed by the Minister of the Environment for the purpose of conducting an EA by a review panel. In the case of a joint review panel, the Minister must appoint or approve the appointment of a chairperson and must appoint at least one other member of the review panel. Once appointed, a review panel operates independent from government.

A review panel must be comprised of members who are unbiased and free from any conflict of interest relative to the designated project and who have knowledge or experience relevant to its anticipated environmental effects (CEAA 2012).

Each review panel holds public hearings and writes a report that contains the panel’s rationale, conclusions and recommendations to the Minister.

French translation: commission d’examen

Review panel report

A report prepared under CEAA 2012 by a review panel that sets out:

  • the rationale, conclusions and recommendations of the panel relating to the EA of the project, including any mitigation measures and follow-up program, and
  • a summary of any comments received from the public, including interested parties.

The report is submitted to the Minister of the Environment.

French translation: rapport de la commission d’examen

- S -

Screening

The process that the Agency follows to determine if an EA of a designated project is required. The screening is completed within 45 days after the posting by the Agency of a summary of the project description and of a notice on the Internet site:

  • indicating that the designated project is the subject of a screening;
  • inviting the public to provide comments respecting the designated project within 20 days after the posting of the notice; and
  • indicating the address for filling those comments.

French translation: examen préalable

Substitution

A provision under CEAA 2012 that provides, under certain conditions, for the EA process of a province or an EA body established under a land claim or a self-government agreement to be substituted by the Minister for the conduct of an EA of a designated project by the Agency.

The Minister of the Environment must approve substitution at the request of a province or may approve substitution for an EA body established under a land claim or a self-government agreement, if the Minister is of the opinion that the EA process would be an appropriate substitute and all the conditions as specified in CEAA 2012 or any additional conditions set by the Minister will be met. The Minister retains the EA decision-making authority.

An EA of a designated project that is to be conducted by the National Energy Board or the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission cannot be substituted. In addition, designated projects referred by the Minister to review panels cannot be substituted.

French translation: substitution

Sustainable development

As defined in CEAA 2012, “sustainable development” means development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

French translation: développement durable

- T -

Time limit

Period of time allocated for a phase or an action to be completed with respect to a designated project.

French translation: délais

Traditional ecological knowledge

A body of knowledge primarily concerned with the environment that is built up by a group of people through generations of living in close contact with nature.

Also see Aboriginal traditional knowledge.

French translation: connaissances écologiques traditionnelles

Transitional environmental assessment

An EA that was already underway when CEAA 2012 came into force and which has been continued under CEAA 2012. For screenings commenced under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Actin respect of activities that are not designated projects under CEAA 2012 and for all comprehensives studies, the EA will be completed as if the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act was not repealed. EAs by review panel continue under the provisions of CEAA 2012.

French translation: évaluation environnementale transitoire

- U -

- V -

Valued component

Valued components refer to environmental features that may be affected by a project and that have been identified to be of concern by the proponent, government agencies, Aboriginal peoples or the public. The value of a component not only relates to its role in the ecosystem, but also to the value people place on it. For example, it may have been identified as having scientific, social, cultural, economic, historical, archaeological or aesthetic importance. For the purposes of CEAA 2012, valued components are selected in relation to section 5 of CEAA 2012 and taking into account direction provided by the responsible authority, or in the case of an EA by review panel, by the Agency or the Minister.

French translation: composante valorisée

- W -

Work plan

A tool prepared by the Agency EA manager assigned to the designated project and used to guide the conduct and management of an EA. The primary uses of the work plan are to document any planning assumptions and decisions, to facilitate communication, and to document approved scope, cost and schedule baselines for the EA.

French translation: plan de travail

- X -

- Y -

- Z -

[1] The acronym CEAR may also be used in reference to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, however, the short form “the Registry” is more commonly used.

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