What You Will Learn

In this course, you will learn about the purpose and steps of impact assessments under the Impact Assessment Act. After completing this course, you should be able to:

Select each heading to review the expected learning outcomes for each module.

Module 1: Overview of the Impact Assessment Act

After completing module 1, you should be able to:

  • Identify the purposes of the IAA
  • Define impact assessment
  • Identify projects likely to be subject to the IAA
  • Identify the key regulations associated with the IAA
  • Outline the types of impact assessments and related cooperation mechanisms
  • Identify prohibitions under the IAA
  • Identify key roles and responsibilities
  • Identify the key phases of the impact assessment process
  • Outline the objectives of meaningful public participation
  • Outline the objectives of Indigenous participation
Module 2: Impact Assessment Process, Phase 1 – Planning

After completing module 2, you should be able to:

  • Identify the prime focus of the Planning phase
  • Identify the key questions that need to be answered during the Planning phase
  • Identify the key objectives of the Planning phase
  • Identify the steps of the Planning phase at a very high level
  • Identify when information is posted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry during the Planning phase
  • Explain the timing associated with the Planning phase
  • Identify which section within the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) outlines the scope of factors to be considered in an impact assessment
  • Identify Planning phase roles and responsibilities
  • Identify the deliverables required through the Planning phase
Module 3: Impact Assessment Process, Phase 2 – Impact Statement

After completing module 3, you should be able to:

  • Identify the key Impact Statement phase steps in sequence
  • Identify the key objectives of the Impact Statement phase
  • Identify what the proponent must do prior to submitting the Impact Statement to the Impact Assessment Agency (the Agency)
  • Differentiate between participant responsibilities throughout the Impact Statement phase
  • Explain what is included within an Impact Statement
  • Explain how the Agency determines if information requirements are met
  • Explain what happens at the end of the Impact Statement phase
Module 4: Impact Assessment Process, Phase 3 – Impact Assessment

After completing module 4, you should be able to:

  • Identify who is responsible for conducting an impact assessment
  • Identify the key steps for an impact assessment conducted by the Impact Assessment Agency (the Agency)
  • Explain what to expect from an impact assessment completed by the Agency
  • Identify the key objectives of the Impact Assessment phase
  • Explain the timeline requirements for assessments completed by the Agency
  • Explain what an impact assessment is based on
  • Explain what an Impact Assessment Report is
  • Explain what happens when the Agency submits the Impact Assessment Report and potential conditions to the Minister
Module 5: Impact Assessment Process, Phase 4 – Decision-making

After completing module 5, you should be able to:

  • Identify the prime focus of the Decision-making phase
  • Identify the key steps in decisions made by the Minister and by the Governor in Council (GIC)
  • Explain the objectives of the Decision-making phase
  • Differentiate between the timing required of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the GIC
  • Explain what must form the basis of the public interest determination
  • Differentiate between the responsibilities of the Minister, the GIC, and the Agency
  • Define what is contained within the Decision Statement issued by the Minister
  • Describe what happens when the Minister issues the Decision Statement
Module 6: Impact Assessment Process, Phase 5 – Post-decision

After completing module 6, you should be able to:

  • Identify the key focus of the Post-decision phase
  • Identify the key tasks required throughout the Post-decision phase
  • Identify the key objectives of the Post-decision phase
  • Explain the key components of timing throughout the Post-decision phase
  • Identify the purpose of the follow-up program
  • Identify the purpose of compliance and enforcement
  • Identify the circumstance(s) that may result in an amendment to the Decision Statement
  • Identify the corresponding responsibility for each participant involved in the Post-decision phase
  • Identify the follow-up, compliance and enforcement reports, and related information that can be posted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry)