Regional Assessments Under the Canadian Impact Assessment Act: Objectives, Outcomes and Lessons So Far

The planning and conduct of regional assessments (RAs) under the Canadian Impact Assessment Act (IAA) has reflected various objectives and planned outcomes. To date, this has included a key focus on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of subsequent project assessments through RA-provided information, analysis and mitigation, although the manner and degree to which these outputs will transfer to and affect the scope of later assessments has yet to be confirmed. Some RAs have also been designed to provide larger effects management and planning outputs, including identifying and recommending broader initiatives for addressing effects and maximizing benefits from future development. RA's potential role in influencing the nature, intensity and distribution of future activities has also been recognized, although this can be challenging where there is no regional planning mechanism for RA to engage with, and especially, given Canadian jurisdictional realities. RAs under the IAA are most likely to be successful in that regard where they are designed and conducted in cooperation with other jurisdictions, and especially, have a direct link to existing and applicable planning processes. Experience also suggests that even where this is the case, there may be challenges if neither process establishes an overall vision for future development, or where there is a lack of specificity in RA outputs or how they are planned to be used in decision-making.