ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Reduce costs and delays in the federal environmental assessment process by avoiding duplication; increasing certainty of process and resolving issues.

Supports Priorities 1 & 2

• A coordinated environmental assessment framework for major development proposals
• Timely completion of environmental assessments by review panels, comprehensive studies and class screenings, contributing to the integration of environmental factors into the decision-making process for major projects and specific classes of projects

• Number of projects:
  • for which the Agency acted as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator (FEAC);
  • where Interim Approach on Scoping was applied;
  • where multiple triggered components were assessed under the same federal environmental assessment;
  • where federal environmental assessment was able to meet established timelines.
• Number of review panels managed
• Number of review panels completed within timelines prescribed in their Terms of Reference
• Number of comprehensive studies coordinated or led
• Number of class screenings initiated this fiscal year and number of declared class screenings

Encourage and improve public participation in the conduct of comprehensive studies and panels which will help ensure integration of environmental factors into the decision making process.

Supports Priority 1 & 2

• Lead the application of the participant funding program which facilitates public participation in the environmental assessment process for panels and comprehensive studies

• Number of environmental assessments supported through the provision of participant funding
• Amount of participant funding awarded and number pf participants supported on a per project basis and per client group

Provide tools and mechanisms that support improved implementation of the federal environmental assessment process

Supports Priorities 1 & 2

• Through the environmental assessment Project Committee (EAPC), demonstrate leadership in developing tools for implementing the Cabinet Directive on Implementing the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

• Number of tools or guidance developed through EAPC and implemented

Provide training and guidance instruments that support high quality environmental assessment

Supports Priorities 2 & 3

• Lead training and guidance development and delivery which improves environmental assessment and promotes consistent application of the Act

• Number of formal Agency-led training events delivered and number of participants
• Number of training or guidance products initiated and in development and released
• Number of hits on Website for guidance products

Build a sound and comprehensive federal environmental assessment framework that fosters coordination and cooperation across government and with other jurisdictions and contributes to sustainability outcomes.

Supports Priority 1

• Review, develop, and consult on the legislative, regulatory and policy basis for the federal practice of environmental assessment
• Establish a policy framework for Aboriginal engagement in project environmental assessments and participate in the development of a broader government-wide policy framework on Aboriginal engagement and consultation.

• Regulations and policies developed or reviewed and updated to reflect current issues and priorities as required.
• Policies which clarify roles and responsibilities with respect to Aboriginal engagement, Crown consultation and other priority issues.

Build the knowledge base and provide and solicit advice to support environmental assessment framework development while advancing the Agency’s interests domestically and abroad.

Supports Priority 1 & 3

• Support the improvement of environmental assessment processes and practices through research and development, continuous learning, and the analysis of performance information.
• Promote the integration of environmental considerations at the earliest stage of the decision-making process using strategic environmental assessments and explore the potential of regionally-based approaches to environmental assessment to address the cumulative effects of multiple projects and induced development.
• Support the establishment of environmental assessment regimes as part of land claims and self-government agreements and the coordination of environmental assessment among jurisdictions and between regulatory frameworks
• Maintain and support mechanisms for receiving advice and consulting with stakeholders, including but not restricted to, the Minister’s regulatory Advisory Committee, the Senior Management Committee on Environmental Assessment, the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Environmental Assessment Administrators Committee, and other federal-provincial forums.
• Engage strategically in international activities and discussions relevant to environmental assessment to inform the development of an environmental assessment framework domestically, where appropriate, support Canada’s contributions to international capacity-building for environmental assessment, and inform approaches to transboundary impact assessment.

• Identification of potential areas and approaches which could improve procedures, legislation, regulations and practices.
• Number of cabinet documents tracked for appropriate inclusion of consideration of environmental effects including follow-up actions with departments to ensure compliance with strategic environmental assessment requirements.
• Participation in the development of environmental assessment regimes in self-government and land claims negotiations.
• Percentage of stakeholders satisfied with the level of administrative support provided by the Agency.