Environmental Planning & Assessment Caucus

Vision

The Environmental Planning & Assessment Caucus’ (EPA Caucus) members share a common vision of truly effective environmental assessment (EA) in Canada, including the integration of EA into development planning.

What We Do

Through face-to-face meetings and regular communication, the Caucus allows its member groups to bring forward a strong public interest analysis of the many facets of environmental planning and assessment in this country. Among other things, this allows Caucus members to inform the environmental community about developments and issues connected with the Impact Assessment Act and its regulations and allows member groups to fit local initiatives into larger policy contexts.

The strong communication between diverse member groups located in all regions of Canada and the energy, knowledge, and "on the ground" experience of its members make the Caucus the most substantive and dynamic network of environmental assessment expertise in Canada today.

Building Momentum Together: EPA Caucus In-Person Meeting, October 2024

Latest Caucus Submissions

October 3, 2024

In July 2024, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada released a Discussion Paper on the Project List Review under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). In response, the Environmental Planning and Assessment (EPA) Caucus of the Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) has submitted detailed comments, offering recommendations on key areas of concern. These include the amendments made through the Budget Implementation Act, 2024, the evidence supporting proposed changes, and the transparency of the overall process.

The EPA Caucus' submission emphasizes the importance of a credible and transparent Project List that effectively captures physical activities with the potential for significant environmental impact. Our recommendations aim to improve both the process and outcomes of project-specific impact assessments, ensuring they address sustainability, cumulative effects, and public participation. Without such reforms, there is a risk of undermining the ability of impact assessments to safeguard ecological integrity.

Additionally, the submission draws on the expertise of the Caucus' Designations, Amendments, and Project List Working Group, supported by consultations with the Caucus Steering Committee and allied environmental groups. It represents the consensus recommendations of the EPA Caucus, reinforcing the need for a revised and robust Project List framework that better reflects the environmental challenges Canada faces today.

Submission on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Discussion Paper on the Project List Review

October 11, 2024

In October 2024, the Federal Lands Working Group of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (EPA) Caucus of the Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) submitted comments on the proposed Ministerial Exclusion Order under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). The Working Group voiced concerns about the lack of transparency and insufficient public data to justify expanding the number of projects excluded from federal impact assessments, aligning with critiques from the Manitoba Eco-Network.

The submission highlights three primary issues: inadequate implementation of the Sections 81-91 process, lack of evidence ensuring that additional exclusions will cause only insignificant environmental effects, and the need to exclude projects on sensitive federal lands from the exemption list. The Working Group recommends that the Impact Assessment Agency prioritize public accountability and improve evidence-based decision-making, especially regarding the ecological context, to avoid significant or cumulative environmental impacts.

Submission on the Proposed Ministerial Exclusion Order under the Impact Assessment Act