Exploration of the environmental impact assessment in Canada

1. O, Canada!
Environmental Impact Assessment
Reut Ben Shlomo
Natalya Prilipko

2. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep
us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity
that allows natural systems to function, no
amount of money will save us.”
David Suzuki

3. INTRODUCTION
1970
CELA
CEAA
CEAA 2012
EIA
1973 1992 2012
● 1973 - EIA was introduced by the
federal Environmental
Assessment and Review Process.
● 1992 - The Canadian
Environmental Assessment Act
(CEAA) was proclaimed as law.
● 2012 - A new CEAA with larger
scope but more concentrated
authority.

4. EIA SYSTEM & ACTORS
Federal Provincial Public
David Heurtel
Review Panel

5. WHEN IEE OR EIA ARE REQUIRED?
CEAA
Regulations
designating
Physical Activities
● Owned, Funded or
Regulated by Fed. gov.
● Nuclear & Energy
Project by
Environmental
Minister

6. IEE Screeing

7. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND IEE
● General Information
(EA and regulation of other jurisdictions, environmental studies)
● Project Information
(objectives, schedule, all activities, waste management)
● Project Location Information
● Federal involvement
● Environmental Effects
(physical and biological effects, potential changes, effect on
aboriginal)

8. THE SCREENING PROCESS
● Screening Criteria:
○ Description of the project
○ Possibility of adverse environmental effects
○ Comments received during the comment period
○ Results of any relevant regional studies
● No screening required for projects designated by Minister,
or Projects regulated by the National Energy Board (NEB)
and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for
which conducting an environmental assessment is
mandatory

9. IEE Screeing

10. PROVINCIAL LAWS
British Columbia: Environmental Assessment Act (2002)
Alberta: Alberta Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Act (2000); Alberta Public Health Act (2000)
Saskatchewan: Environmental Assessment Act (1980)
Manitoba: Environment Act (1987)
Ontario: Environmental Assessment Act (1990)
Québec: Environment Quality Act (1972)
New Brunswick: Clean Environment Act (year N/A)

11. EIA IN SOUTHERN QC

12. THANK YOU!

13. RESOURCES
1. Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/
2. Environment battle over assessment changes CBC April 17, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=qYszhgQNBkc
3. Canadian Environmental Law Association. http://www.cela.ca/sites/cela.ca/files/Annual_Report_2013_0.
pdf
4. An introduction to the Canadian environmental assesment act 2012 http://www.elc.ab.
ca/Content_Files/Files/Vol27No3Web.pdf
5. parliament of Canada: House Government Bill. http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?
Language=E&Mode=1&DocId=5697420&File=110
6. Wood, C(2013).Environmental Impact Assessment: A Comparative Review. New York: Routledge
7. The canadian encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/environmental-impact-
assessment/
8. Environment Canada. http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En
9. projects description regulations http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2012/2012-07-18/html/sor-dors148-eng.
html
10. physical activities projects http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2012/2012-07-18/html/sor-dors147-eng.html

14. Fee example (Quebec)

15. Fee example (Quebec)
$5,000
$50,000
$85,000
$5,000
$120,000

16. EA CRITERIA
● The environmental effects of the project;
● The significance of the environmental effects of the project;
● Comments from the public;
● Mitigation measures;
● The requirements of the follow-up program in respect of the project;
● The purpose of the project;
● Alternative means of carrying out the project that are technically and economically
feasible, and the environmental effects of any such alternative means;any change
to the project that may be caused by the environment;
● Relevant regional studies carried out under the Act;
● Any other matter relevant to the environmental assessment.