environmental impact assessment in canada

O, Canada!Environmental Impact Assessment

Reut Ben ShlomoNatalya Prilipko

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

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.

EIA SYSTEM & ACTORS

Federal Provincial Public

David Heurtel

Review Panel

WHEN IEE OR EIA ARE REQUIRED?

CEAA

Regulations designating

Physical Activities

● Owned, Funded or Regulated by Fed. gov.

● Nuclear & Energy

Project by Environmental

Minister

IEE Screeing

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)

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

IEE Screeing

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)

EIA IN SOUTHERN QC

THANK YOU!

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=qYszhgQNBkc3. Canadian Environmental Law Association. http://www.cela.ca/sites/cela.ca/files/Annual_Report_2013_0.

pdf4. 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: Routledge7. The canadian encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/environmental-impact-

assessment/ 8. Environment Canada. http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En9. projects description regulations http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2012/2012-07-18/html/sor-dors148-eng.

html10. physical activities projects http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2012/2012-07-18/html/sor-dors147-eng.html

Fee example (Quebec)

Fee example (Quebec)

$ 5,

000

$ 50

,000

$ 85

,000

$ 5,

000

$ 12

0,00

0

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.