Public invited to comment on draft regulations for proposed impact assessment system

May 1, 2019 — Ottawa — Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

The Government of Canada is introducing better rules for major projects to protect the environment, grow the economy, and restore public trust in decisions about resource development and other major industrial activities. Requiring a clear and transparent review of the potential impacts of proposed projects will help to ensure that good projects can move forward in a timely and environmentally responsible way.

Today, the government is inviting the public to comment on the new proposed Regulations Designating Physical Activities, also known as the Project List, and new Information Requirements and Time Management Regulations.

These regulatory proposals are the result of months of extensive consultation with companies, Indigenous peoples, and the public on what kinds of industrial activities should be subject to federal impact assessments under the proposed Impact Assessment Act (Bill C-69). Canadians told us they wanted a Project List that is based on clear criteria and established through an open and transparent process.

The proposed regulations will ensure that impact assessments are focussed on the right projects ­– ones with the greatest potential for adverse impacts in areas of federal jurisdiction. They define what would qualify as a “designated project” under the proposed Impact Assessment Act, and identify various thresholds that, if crossed, would require designated projects to be considered for a federal impact assessment.

The Project List and accompanying regulations are designed to provide proponents with certainty on how and when the proposed Impact Assessment Act applies, and increase Canadians’ confidence that federal assessments will focus on the activities that matter most to them and their communities.

The public and Indigenous groups are invited to share their views on the regulatory proposals by visiting www.impactassessmentregulations.ca until May 31, 2019.