Timing
Once the Agency accepts the Initial Project Description and posts it on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry:
- 180 calendar days: The 180-day time limit for the Planning phase starts
- 90-day extension: The Agency may extend the 180-day Planning phase by up to 90 days at the request of another jurisdiction to enable cooperation with that jurisdiction
- By the end of 180 days: The Notice of Commencement is posted on the Registry
Select each item below for more information about Phase1: Planning – Key Steps and Timelines.
Key Steps and Timelines
1. Initial Project Description Accepted, and Engagement Starts
1. Initial Project Description Accepted, and Engagement Starts
- Initial Project Description - a high-level description of the proposed project.
- The Agency leads engagement on the Initial Project Description.
2. Agency Prepares Summary of Issues
2. Agency Prepares Summary of Issues
- Service Standard: 10 days
- The Agency will prepare a Summary of Issues that includes issues that were raised by the public, Indigenous groups and other jurisdictions during consultations and engagement. The Agency will provide the Summary of Issues to the proponent and a copy will be posted to the Registry.
3. Proponent Submits Detailed Project Description and Response to Summary of Issues
3. Proponent Submits Detailed Project Description and Response to Summary of Issues
- Service Standard: 30 days
- The proponent prepares a Response to the Summary of Issues that outlines how it intends to address the issues raised, and a Detailed Project Description.
4. Agency Determines if Impact Assessment is Required
4. Agency Determines if Impact Assessment is Required
- Service Standard: 10-20 days
- The Agency will determine if an impact assessment is required and posts the decision and reasons for the decision to the Registry.
5. Agency drafts Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (Guidelines) and Plans
5. Agency drafts Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (Guidelines) and Plans
- Service Standard: 30 days
- The Guidelines outline the information and studies necessary to conduct the impact assessment.
6. Agency engages on draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and draft Plans
6. Agency engages on draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and draft Plans
- Service Standard: 30 days
- Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines
- Cooperation Plan
- Public Partnership Plan
- Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan
- Permitting Plan
7. Agency finalizes Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Plans
7. Agency finalizes Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Plans
- Service Standard: 30 days
- The guidelines will clearly identify studies and information requirements for the Impact Statement developed by the proponent.
- The Agency will consider the inputs received to finalize the Guidelines and plans.
8. Agency issues Notice of Commencement and posts final Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Plans
8. Agency issues Notice of Commencement and posts final Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Plans
- Service Standard: 10 days
- Once finalized, the Notice of Commencement and final documents will be posted on the Registry.
Substitution : If the Agency receives a request from another jurisdiction to substitute the process for an impact assessment, the Request for Substitution will be posted to the Registry with an invitation to the public to provide their comments. The Agency will consider comments received and post the Substitution Decision and the reasons for the decision to the Registry before the end of the 180 day Planning phase.