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Guidance Materials

These documents provide guidance on the legislated obligations for federal environmental assessments under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.

How can I access the materials?

To access documents that are available in HTML format, click on their title.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012

All documents related to environmental assessments under the former Act (2010) are kept as reference for the convenience of interested parties and for the completion of transitional environmental assessments commenced prior to CEAA 2012.

The Agency is in the process of updating guidance materials to reflect the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.

Reference Guides

Document
Guide to the Participant Funding Program (December 2012)
Applications for the Participant Funding Program (December 2012)

Operational Policy Statements

Document
Adaptive Management Measures under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (March 2009) - To be updated
Addressing Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (November 2007) - To be updated
Addressing "Need for", "Purpose of" "Alternatives to" and "Alternative Means" under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (November 2007) - To be updated
Follow-up Programs under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (December 2011) - To be updated

Technical Guidance

Document
Cumulative Effects Assessment Practitioners Guide (February 1999) - To be updated
Addressing Cumulative Environmental Effects (November 1994) - To be updated
Determining Whether A Project is Likely to Cause Significant Adverse Environmental Effects (November 1994) - To be updated
Assessing Environmental Effects on Physical and Cultural Heritage Resources (April 1996) - To be updated
Guide to Preparing a Description of a Designated Project [PDF - 362 KB] (July 2012)
Glossary- To be updated

Former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

Overviews of the Act

Document
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act: An Overview (December 2011)

Public Participation

Document
Public Participation Guide (May 2008)
Guide to the Participant Funding Program (December 2008)
Ministerial Guideline on Assessing the Need for and Level of Public Participation in Screenings under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (July 2006)

Procedural Guides

Document
Cumulative Effects Assessment Practitioners Guide (February 1999)
Incorporating Climate Change Considerations in Environmental Assessment: General Guidance for Practitioners (November 2003)
Addressing Cumulative Environmental Effects (November 1994)
Determining Whether A Project is Likely to Cause Significant Adverse Environmental Effects (November 1994)
Assessing Environmental Effects on Physical and Cultural Heritage Resources (April 1996)

Operational Policy Statements

Document
Adaptive Management Measures under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (March 2009)
Addressing Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (November 2007)
Addressing "Need for", "Purpose of" "Alternatives to" and "Alternative Means" under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (November 2007)
Follow-up Programs under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (December 2011)

Other

Document
A Guide on Biodiversity and Environmental Assessment (April 1996)
Glossary
Considering Aboriginal traditional knowledge in environmental assessments conducted under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act -- Interim Principles

Strategic Environmental Assessment

Document
Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals
Date Modified: 2013-03-08

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