Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

The federal environmental assessment procedure is regulated by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012) (CEAA). One of the objectives of the CEAA 2012 is to protect aspects of the environment—ones that fall under the legal authority of the federal parliament—against all major negative environmental effects that may lead to a designated project within the meaning of this act.

Only projects that are covered by the Regulations Designating Physical Activities can be subject to an environmental assessment. More specifically, this regulation is aimed at major natural resource and energy development projects (mines, electricity, nuclear energy, oil etc.), but some dredging projects may be subject to an environmental assessment if they are connected to a designated project, for example, dredging associated with a new canal or a new lock, or dredging associated with a new sea terminal that is designed to receive ships over 25,000 tons deadweight. The federal authorities that are responsible for completing environmental assessments based on the project type are the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the National Energy Board, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

The CEAA 2012 also requires the federal government to assess the environmental effects of a project when it is being carried out on federal lands or if it exercises powers (such as permit or authorizations etc.) conferred upon it by another federal Act that would allow for, in whole or in part, a project to be carried out on such land, which may include dredging activities or projects. The assessment of environmental effects is then carried out by the federal authority that is responsible for the project’s completion or that would have to exercise powers.

For more information about the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, please contact the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency or consult the website on this topic.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
901-1550, d’Estimauville
Quebec (Quebec) G1J 0C1
Telephone: 418 649-6444
Fax: 418 649-6443
Email: info@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Website: http://www.acee-ceaa.gc.ca