Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency seeks comments on its Cumulative Effects Guideline

Following significant changes to the federal environmental assessment regime, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEA Agency) continues to revisit its policy and guideline documents.  Currently, the CEA Agency seeks public comments on its draft Technical Guidance for Assessing Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (the “Technical Guide”).  This document can be found on the CEA Agency website.

In the course of a federal environmental assessment, cumulative effects must be considered to determine the environmental effects that are likely to result from the proposed project in combination with other physical activities that have or will be carried out (section 19(1)(a) of CEAA 2012).  The CEA Agency provides clarification and guidance on cumulative effects assessment in its Operational Policy Statement on Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (the “OPS”). The draft Technical Guide is meant to provide methodological options and considerations to conduct cumulative environmental effects assessment in accordance with CEAA 2012 and the OPS.

For those who are interested, the CEA Agency has indicated that written comments should be submitted to CEAA.guidance-orientation.ACEE@ceaa-acee.gc.ca no later than June 30, 2015.

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