Major changes are coming to federal and provincial Environmental Assessment processes that will affect major projects and project proponents operating in BC. While some of the announced changes will deliver process improvements that will benefit project proponents, other changes are likely to increase regulatory risk by adding to the complexity, likelihood of delay, and cost of completing an EA.
In this session, we will:
- Highlight the most important changes reflected in the Impact Assessment Act (Canada) and proposed for the Environmental Assessment Act (BC)
- Discuss changes to the scope of environmental assessment, affecting the number and types of projects that are reviewable, and changes to the standards for approving projects
- Discuss new expectations for Indigenous participation in EAs, including the role of Traditional Knowledge
- Provide best practice tips on how to work with your professional advisors to survive an EA with your project (and budgets) intact
