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

From: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Public Notice

May 1, 2019 — The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is inviting the public to comment on its proposals for new Regulations Designating Physical Activities, also known as the Project List, and new Information Requirements and Time Management Regulations.

These regulations are part of the better rules for major projects that the Government of Canada has proposed to protect the environment, grow the economy, and restore public trust in decisions about resource development and other types of industrial activities.

In June 2016, the Government of Canada launched a comprehensive review of the federal environmental and regulatory processes – including a review of federal environmental assessment processes. The review resulted in the tabling to Parliament of the proposed Impact Assessment Act (Bill C-69).

The regulatory proposals released today 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.

These proposals are the result of months of extensive consultation with companies, Indigenous peoples, provinces and territories, and the public on what kinds of activities should be subject to federal impact assessments.

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