Key insights on Canada’s impact assessments statistics
At-a-Glance Report for the third quarter 2024-2025
Canada wants good projects that bring jobs and other benefits today and sustain our resources for tomorrow. Canada’s amended Impact Assessment Act 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.
In fact, Bloomberg New Energy Finance says: "Canada has one of the most credible impact assessment frameworks in the world."Footnote 1
On this page
Did you know? Footnote 2
- Since August 2019, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has received 86 requests from the public for different forms of assessments. We reviewed and answered all of these within 90 days.Footnote 3
- Our early planning phase for projects can lead to quick decisions. For example, Big Bear Camp Aerodrome Project in Saskatchewan received a decision in as little as 59 days.
- Nearly half of our early decisions on projects found effects were either limited or could be addressed by other means and therefore could proceed.
- Only the most complex projects with the potential for serious adverse effects in federal jurisdiction merit broad assessments requiring decisions by the Minister or Cabinet.
Projects
The number of current federal assessments of major projects underway in Canada: 42
| SectorFootnote 4 | Number |
|---|---|
Mining |
22 |
TransportationFootnote 5 |
9 |
Oil and gas |
4 |
Other |
4 |
Power generationFootnote 6 |
3 |
| Phase or approach | Number |
|---|---|
Broad IAAC-led assessments (complex projects) |
20 |
Planning Phase assessments |
10 |
Substituted to a provincial process |
8 |
Referred to Independent Review Panels (very complex projects) |
4 |
| Progress in assessments | Quarter 3 ending December 31 | Quarter 2 ending September 30 | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
New requests for assessments Footnote 7 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
86 |
Projects in public planning phase |
10 |
13 |
13 |
46 |
Broader public assessments launched for complex projects |
15 |
15 |
14 |
15 |
Amended decisions with conditions after project changes or new developments occur |
1 |
7 |
0 |
28 |
Participation
| Participation and funding activities | Quarter 3 ending December 31 | Quarter 2 ending September 30 | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
New registrants to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry’s project notification system |
110 |
163 |
589 |
862 |
Comments received from the public on all assessments |
302 |
121 |
145 |
13,732 |
Stakeholder outreach and engagement activities led by IAAC |
128 |
108 |
109 |
967 |
Funding we’ve allocated through grants and contributions to support public and Indigenous participation in assessments |
$1.3M |
$1M |
$885K |
$41.8M |
Funding we’ve allocated through grants and contributions to support Indigenous capacity |
$1.4M |
$1.4M |
$2.7M |
$70.1M |
Decisions
| Requests for assessments (all types) | Quarter 3 ending December 31 | Quarter 2 ending September 30 | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes, assessment warranted |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
No, assessment not warranted |
5 |
2 |
1 |
75 |
| Early IA decisions in 180-day Planning Phase | Quarter 3 ending December 31 | Quarter 2 ending September 30 | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Early assessments completed |
2 |
2 |
2 |
14 |
Broad IA required (complex projects) |
1 |
0 |
2 |
20 |
| Decisions to substitute | Quarter 3 ending December 31 | Quarter 2 ending September 30 | 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 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| Environmental assessment decisions | Quarter 3 ending December 31 | Quarter 2 ending September 30 | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Allowed to proceed (with conditions) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
17 |
Not allowed to proceed |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| IA decisions for complex projects | Quarter 3 ending December 31 | Quarter 2 ending September 30 | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes, in the public interest to proceed (with conditions) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
No, not in the public interest |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Monitoring
| Inspections | Quarter 3 ending December 31 | Quarter 2 ending September 30 | Quarter 1 ending June 30 | Total since August 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Inspections (on and offsite) |
12 |
6 |
13 |
275 |
Looking for more information about any of our projects? Check out the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry at for detailed information.