Assessing the Environmental Landscape: Anticipating and Mitigating Risk in Environmental Assessments

Find out how proposed changes to the Canadian federal environmental assessment process may impact your business

Environmental Assessment (EA) is a critical step in most major infrastructure and development projects and the process can be a challenge to navigate, involving multiple stakeholders and government bodies. The recently proposed changes to the federal EA process will likely mean dramatic changes for certain projects - what do they mean for your organization?

Make sure you understand how the EA process could impact both your organization's deadlines and bottom line.

Let Davis LLP help your organization navigate the system, understand its rights and obligations in an EA, as well as how to anticipate and manage common challenges in the EA process.

Join us at 8:00 am for breakfast, with the presentation to begin at 8:30 am.

Why do environmental assessments matter to me?

•  Briefing on the recently announced proposed changes to the federal EA system.

• Overview of the Ontario and federal EA processes.

How broadly must you consider the impacts of your project?

EAs must consider cumulative effects, but how broad must this consideration be? The scope of your EA will heavily influence the path to getting an approval.
The recent decision of Sierra Club Canada v. Ontario (Natural Resources & Transportation) offers important guidance on the limits to the scope of an EA - we'll explain what it means to you.
Our thoughts on the anticipated impacts of the proposed changes to the federal EA regime on project scoping considerations in provincial EAs.

When can you be sure you've met your consultation requirements?

The government practice of downloading aboriginal consultation responsibilities to proponents has lead to a number of recent cases where approved projects were stopped in their tracks by court injunctions granted to aboriginal groups who allege they were not properly consulted. Find out what you need to know before your project ends up in a holding pattern.
How will the government ensure the required consultation has occurred for projects which no longer require a federal EA requirements?

Win-win: working with your community

The EA process allows for members of the public to engage in the process in a number of ways; understanding their legal entitlements can help you navigate the system with greater ease.
Effective communication and engaging with the local community are important ingredients to success - we'll share our thoughts on how to avoid legal problems before they arise whether you are conducting public consultation through the EA process or through an independent initiative.

Register for the Seminar

Click here to sign up for the seminar.

Event Contact

Amanda Varga
Marketing Co-ordinator
avarga[at]davis.ca