ID: 2024
Presenting Author: Elisabeth Gill
Session: 764 - FD4 Impact studies in an era of change: Innovation and opportunities under the new Québec and Canadian frameworks
Status: pending
IAAC’s new 2-year model improves major project assessments through early engagement, key issue resolution, Indigenous collaboration, and streamlined processes
In response to recent legislative changes, including the Building Canada Act and amendments to the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has developed a preliminary model for a streamlined, two-year impact assessment process. This model aims to enhance efficiency, foster early engagement, and improve outcomes through a re-engineered approach focused on key issues within federal jurisdiction.
Central to the model are Project Charters, iterative engagement, and early integration of permitting-level information. The process emphasizes proactive collaboration with Indigenous groups, early validation and resolution of key issues, and the use of AI tools to support analysis and communication. By reducing planning phase duration, encouraging early and ongoing submissions, and aligning federal and provincial processes, the model seeks to facilitate timely decision-making while maintaining rigor and inclusivity.
Strengthened partnerships, accelerated participant funding, and enhanced support for Indigenous capacity are key success factors. The presentation invites feedback on practical conditions for implementation, meaningful consultation strategies, and opportunities for collaboration to ensure the model’s effectiveness and responsiveness to Indigenous perspectives.
Elisabeth Gill, Regional Director, Quebec, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada since 2024, delivering impact assessment since 2019, and a long previous career at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada