Key insights on Canada’s impact assessments
At-a-Glace Report for the first quarter 2026-2027Footnote 1
Canada wants good projects that bring jobs and other benefits today and sustain our resources for tomorrow. Canada’s Impact Assessment Act (IAA) delivers assessments that are timely, efficient and focused on what matters. It does this by conducting assessments that support economic growth while protecting the environment, Indigenous Rights and other issues that matter most to Canadians.
On this page
Did you know?
- The IAA applies to only the most complex projects – those with potential for significant adverse effects in areas of federal responsibility.
- Since 2019, an average of eight major projects per year have entered the IAA system. Over the last year, 18 final decisions have been issued, with average review timelines of less than 11 months.
- Federal assessments are a fraction of the estimated 200-260 projects provincially assessed each year. The Project List captures projects with most potential for serious adverse effects in federal jurisdiction.
The calculation of timelines excludes suspensions or proponent abeyances.
Projects
The number of current federal assessments of major projects underway in Canada: 42
| SectorFootnote 2 | Number |
|---|---|
Mining | 25 |
TransportationFootnote 3 | 4 |
Oil and gas | 3 |
Power generationFootnote 4 | 5 |
Other | 5 |
Phase or approach | Number |
|---|---|
Planning Phase assessments | 15 |
Broad IAAC-led assessments (complex projects) | 17 |
Substituted to a provincial process | 6 |
Referred to Independent Review Panels (very complex projects) | 4 |
Progress in assessments | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|
New requests for assessmentsFootnote 5 | 7 | 102 |
Projects in public planning phase | 14 | 74 |
Amended decisions with conditions after project changes or new developments occur | 1 | 35 |
Participation
Participation and funding activities | Quarter 1ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|
New registrants to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry’s project notification system | 219 | 2066 |
Comments received from the public on all assessments | 1045 | 18271 |
Funding we’ve allocated through grants and contributions to support public and Indigenous participation in assessments | $1.8M | $55.8M |
Funding we’ve allocated through contributions to support Indigenous capacity | $7.6M | $82.7M |
Decisions
Requests for assessments (all types) | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|
Yes, an assessment should be considered | 0 | 7 |
No, an assessment should not be considered | 3 | 87 |
Early Impact Assessment (IA) decisions (Planning Phase) | Quarter 1ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|
Further assessment not required | 2 | 32 |
Broad IArequired (complex project) | 4 | 29 |
Impact Assessment decisions for complex projects | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|
Complete, with conditions to manage adverse federal effects | 1 | 4 |
Decisions to substitute | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|
Note: Currently, British Columbia is the only province with a cooperation agreement which facilitates substitution. | 0 | 4 |
Environmental assessment decisions (CEAA2012) | Quarter 1ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|
Allowed to proceed (with conditions) | 1 | 21 |
Not allowed to proceed | 0 | 4 |
Monitoring
Inspections | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|
Inspections (on and offsite) | 15 | 379 |
Looking for more information about any of our projects? Check out the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry for detailed information or subscribe for Registry notifications to receive timely updates about assessments that matter to you.