The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

View the print version: PDF (116K)

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) is a federal statute that requires federal departments to conduct environmental assessments for prescribed projects and activities before providing federal approval or financial support.

In March 2009, the Government of Canada approved regulatory amendments for specific Economic Stimulus initiatives:

• Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund
• Border Infrastructure Fund
• Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
• Infrastructure Stimulus Fund
• Green Infrastructure Fund
• Recreational Infrastructure Fund
• Knowledge Infrastructure Fund
• First Nations Housing
• Renovation and Retrofit of Social Housing
• Housing for Low-Income Seniors
• Housing for Persons with Disabilities
• Northern Housing
• Helping Municipalities Build Stronger Communities
• Investments in First Nations Infrastructure

These regulatory amendments are in place until March 31, 2011. It is anticipated that many infrastructure projects to be constructed during the two year time period will be exempt or excluded from further assessment.

Environmental Assessment
Environmental Assessment (EA) is a planning tool used to identify potential effects of projects or activities on the environment: air, water, land and living organisms, and humans.

By screening potentially harmful projects, proponents can avoid expensive, and sometimes controversial, corrective action. An environmental assessment identifies the risks to the environment before a potential project has begun.

Environmental Mitigation
Environmental mitigation measures are intended to prevent or reduce adverse environmental impacts of a proposed project or activity. A project proponent must carry out mitigation measures identified as a result of an EA to receive federal support.

Federal Responsibilities
A Responsible Authority is the federal authority asked to provide support or approval in the form of funding, land permit, license, or other approval specified by regulation.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) acts as a Responsible Authority for projects being considered for federal assistance under various funding programs, including the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component (projects less that $750,000 in value), Recreational Infrastructure Fund, Community Adjustment Fund, Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, and the Western Economic Partnership Agreements. WD must ensure an EA is conducted on a project as early as possible, before construction begins and irrevocable decisions are made.

WD is required to solicit input or involvement from other federal authorities (e.g. Fisheries and Oceans Canada or Environment Canada) who may also have responsibilities under CEAA.

Environmental Assessment Responsibility
WD may manage the assessment process on behalf of smaller municipalities, or may delegate responsibility for all or any part of the EA directly to the project proponent. In all cases, WD retains responsibilities to grant federal funding approval for a project based on the outcome of the EA.

Proponent Responsibilities
A project proponent can speed up the EA process by providing engineering plans and documents, environmental studies, historical resources impact assessments, or environmental impact statements.

Environmental Assessment Timelines and Costs
An EA for a simple project (having well-known environmental effects and proven mitigation strategies not requiring a referral to other government authorities) may take as little as fifteen days. EAs for more complex projects may take several weeks or months. Costs of EAs for complex projects or additional studies are usually the responsibility of the proponent.

Other Considerations
Proponents have to acquire any necessary authorizations, approvals or licenses and comply with any relevant legislated environmental requirements.