Main Estimates, 2021-2022, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Appearance before the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development – May 12, 2021
Overview
Issue
- IAAC’s reference levels for the 2021-2022 Main Estimates are presented at $79 million.
Points to register
- Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s Main Estimates total funding is $79 million which represents an increase of $2.5 million or 3.3% in total funding from the 2020-2021 Main Estimates.
- There is a net increase over 2020–2021 levels of $2.5 million primarily due to an increase in grants and contributions ($3.2 million), and a small reduction in operating funds ($0.7 million).
- These authorities include potential revenues up to a maximum of $8 million. Under cost recovery regulations, IAAC has the authority to recover certain costs from proponents directly related to the exercise of IAAC’s responsibilities during assessments by review panels.
- $51.0 million of IAAC’s authorities will be devoted to the conduct of assessments; $22.2 million is allotted to grants and contributions to support public and Indigenous participation in assessments. The remainder (approx. $5.8 million) is from a statutory vote for the employee benefit program.
- With the funding received in Main Estimates, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada will continue to deliver high-quality impact assessments in support of government decisions about major projects.
Grants and contributions
- Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s 2021-2022 Main Estimates include $22.2 million.
- The Agency’s grants and contributions programs provide funding support to individuals, non-profits, and Indigenous groups to improve scientific information and Indigenous knowledge; enhance public participation; contribute to Indigenous reconciliation and build Indigenous capacity; and promote transparency, efficiency and timeliness.
- The funding is divided among the following programs:
- Participant Funding Program: to help recipients prepare for and participate in key stages of impact assessments undertaken, as well as regional and strategic assessments.
- Policy Dialogue Program: supports the provision of external advice and participation in the development of policies, methodologies, tools and practices related to impact assessment, regional assessments and strategic assessments.
- Indigenous Capacity Support Program: supports the development of local and regional Indigenous knowledge and capacity to effectively participate in, or undertake project impact assessments, regional assessments, policy engagement, impact assessment monitoring and follow-up activities, and IAA-related activities.
- Research Program: supports impact assessment-related research.
- Contribution to the Province of Quebec – James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement: to maintain and provide funding for the secretariats supporting the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment and the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee.
Background/current status
- The new Impact Assessment Actcame into force on August 28, 2019, repealing the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, and transforming the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency into the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
- Under this new Act, IAAC’s mandate and responsibilities have been expanded making IAAC the single federal organization responsible for impact assessments and the Crown coordinator for consultations with Indigenous peoples on designated projects and for regional and strategic assessments.
- In leading these assessments, IAAC’s scope of assessment has expanded from negative environmental effects to positive and negative environmental, economic, social, health and gender effects of designated projects. With the funding received in Main Estimates, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada will continue to deliver high-quality impact assessments in support of government decisions about major projects.
2021-2022 Main Estimates
Raison d’être
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for this organization.
Impact assessment contributes to informed decision making.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada delivers high-quality impact assessments in support of government decisions about major projects.
Additional information can be found in the Agency’s Departmental Plan.
Organizational Estimates
| Budgetary | 2019–20 Expenditures ($) |
2020–21 Main Estimates ($) |
2020–21 Estimates to date ($) |
2021–22 Main Estimates |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voted | |||||
| 1 | Operating expenditures |
49,805,531 | 51,710,081 | 51,710,081 | 50,983,558 |
| 5 | Grants and contributions |
7,388,431 | 18,939,140 | 18,939,140 | 22,172,274 |
| Total Voted | 57,193,962 | 70,649,221 | 70,649,221 | 73,155,832 | |
| Total Statutory | 6,252,935 | 5,834,174 | 5,834,174 | 5,887,105 | |
| Total Budgetary | 63,446,897 | 76,483,395 | 76,483,395 | 79,042,937 | |
2021–22 Main Estimates by Purpose
| Budgetary | Operating ($) |
Capital ($) |
Transfer Payments ($) |
Revenues and other reductions ($) |
Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact Assessment |
54,675,124 | 0 | 22,172,274 | (8,001,000) | 68,846,398 |
Internal Services |
10,196,539 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10,196,539 |
| Total | 64,871,663 | 0 | 22,172,274 | (8,001,000) | 79,042,937 |
Listing of the 2021–22 Transfer Payments
| Transfer Payment | 2019–20 Expenditures ($) |
2020–21 Main Estimates ($) |
2021–22 Main Estimates ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grants | |||
Grants to support the participation of the public and Indigenous groups in impact, regional or strategic assessments, and to support assessment-related research |
390,367 | 2,500,000 | 4,000,000 |
| Contributions | |||
Contributions to support the participation of the public and Indigenous groups in assessment and policy dialogue, and to support the development of Indigenous knowledge and capacity for assessments and related activities – Participant Funding Component, Policy Dialogue Component and Indigenous Capacity Component |
0 | 0 | 17,807,274 |
Contribution to the Province of Quebec – James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement |
245,500 | 245,500 | 365,000 |
Listing of Statutory Authorities
| Budgetary | 2019–20 Expenditures ($) |
2020–21 Estimates to date ($) |
2021–22 Main Estimates ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
Contributions to employee benefit plans |
6,252,935 | 5,834,174 | 5,887,105 |