Factors to be Considered

The factors to be considered in an impact assessment are defined in the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and tailored to a specific project using the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines. The scope of each factor to be considered under subsection 22(1), Impact Assessment Act is determined by the Agency.

The Agency is responsible for scoping the factors for all assessments.

Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines specify the scope of information to be considered for each factor, including studies that the Agency, in collaboration with federal authorities, determines are necessary for the conduct of the impact assessment.

A simplified version of the subsection 22(1) factors is as follows:

Select each item below for more information.

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
(f) (g) (h) (i) (j)
(k) (l) (m) (n) (o)
(p) (q) (r) (s) (t)

(a)

(a) Changes to the environment or to health, social or economic conditions (including malfunctions, accidents, and cumulative effects)

(b)

(b) Mitigation measures

(c)

(c) Impacts on any Indigenous group and on the rights of Indigenous peoples

(d)

(d) The purpose and need for the designated project

(e)

(e) Alternative means of carrying out the designated project

(f)

(f) Alternatives to the designated project

(g)

(g) Indigenous knowledge

(h)

(h) Sustainability considerations

(i)

(i) Environmental obligations and climate change commitments

(j)

(j) Any change to the designated project that may be caused by the environment

(k)

(k) Follow-up program requirements

(l)

(l) Considerations related to Indigenous cultures

(m)

(m) Community knowledge

(n)

(n) Comments received from the public

(o)

(o) Comments from other jurisdictions

(p)

(p) Any relevant strategic or regional assessment

(q)

(q) Any assessment conducted by or on behalf of an Indigenous governing body

(r)

(r) Any study or plan that is conducted or prepared by a jurisdiction — or an Indigenous governing body — that is in respect of a region related to the designated project

(s)

(s) A gender-based analysis plus (intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors)

(t)

(t) Any other matter relevant to the impact assessment that the Agency or the Minister requires to be taken into consideration

On the web: Fact Sheet: Section 22 – Factors to be considered descriptions