Roles and Responsibilities
In the context of impact assessment, there are several participants with specific roles and responsibilities. These roles and responsibilities vary throughout the five phases (introduced on the next screen) of the impact assessment process. A broad overview of the roles and responsibilities is provided below, and greater detail will be provided in Modules 2 through 6.
Select each item below for more information.
Participants
Impact Assessment Agency (the Agency)
The Agency is responsible for impact assessments, unless conducted by a review panel, including engaging with Indigenous groups and the public, providing participant funding, maintaining the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry, and promoting, monitoring and facilitating compliance with the Impact Assessment Act (IAA).
Minister or Governor in Council
The Minister or Governor in Council determines whether adverse effects of the project that are within federal jurisdiction — and the adverse direct or incidental effects — are in the public interest.
Lifecyle regulators
Lifecycle regulators collaborate with the Agency on the impact assessment for projects they regulate and support review panels in the conduct of an integrated impact assessment. These assessments integrate impact assessment obligations and the regulatory obligations of the lifecycle regulator.
Other Jurisdictions
Other jurisdictions coordinate with the Agency in the conduct of the impact assessment process, where appropriate, or lead the assessment in cases where the Minister has approved a substitution of the impact assessment to a specific jurisdiction.
Federal authorities
Federal authorities support the Agency in impact assessments by providing expert advice and knowledge. Federal authorities may also conduct their own assessments of environmental effects for projects on federal lands or outside Canada.
Examples: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Transport Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Women and Gender Equality Canada.
Public
The public may choose to participate in the impact assessment process and engagement events, including through sharing information, knowledge, or views.
Indigenous groups
Indigenous groups may be involved in an impact assessment by participating in consultation opportunities throughout the process, by collaborating with the Agency on parts of the impact assessment, and/or by conducting their own studies or assessment in cooperation with the federal impact assessment, depending on the circumstances.
Proponent
The proponent provides rigorous analysis of environmental, health, social and economic effects of the proposed project and complies with the Minister’s Decision Statement.