Background and Objectives

First Nations have exercised jurisdiction over the use and stewardship their lands and waters since time immemorial. The imposition of Crown sovereignty and the displacement of First Nations from their lands and waters have limited many First Nations’ capacity to uphold stewardship responsibilities. Despite these challenges, these responsibilities and the Inherent jurisdiction required to fulfill them, persist. First Nations remain actively engaged in the protection and caretaking their lands and waters in accordance with Inherent rights, responsibilities, and Indigenous legal systems.

The Impact Assessment Act (IAA or the Act) became law on June 21, 2019, replacing the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) and establishing a new process to assess the impacts of major projects on matters falling within “federal jurisdiction.” First Nations overwhelmingly participated in parliamentary and other forms of advocacy related to Bill C-69, An Act to enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to amend the Navigation Protection Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, demonstrating the importance of this legislation for First Nations.

First Nations across Canada are strengthening their capacity to participate in and lead impact assessments. The greater the capacity of First Nations to understand and respond to proposed projects, as interested parties, jurisdictions or co-administrators of the IAA, the more effective and efficient the regulatory process will be. Current deficiencies in the internal capacity of many First Nations places a significant strain on First Nations, project proponents and regulators because it is harder for First Nations to do the work necessary to evaluate whether a project should receive their free, prior and informed consent.

The AFN’s work on impact assessment policy and regulation is directed by Resolutions 69/2018, First Nations Fully, Direct, and Unfettered Participation in Bill C-69 including Regulatory and Policy Co-Development, and 06/2019, Respecting First Nations Inherent and Constitutionally Protected Rights in the Project List for the Impact Assessment Act.

Webinar Objectives:

• Amplify First Nations’ voices and leadership in setting standards and expectations for federal impact assessment.
• Urge Canada to adopt legislative amendments, regulation and policy to empower First Nations to lead and co-administer impact assessment.
• Facilitate discussions between IAAC and First Nations on proposals to implement aspects of the federal impact assessment regime.
• Gather feedback on Government proposals to inform AFN technical submissions.

Materials

The AFN has prepared background documents to support participation in the webinars. These documents will be posted to this website and emailed to participants in advance of the webinars.

IAAC Engagement Materials

Please find below information about the IAAC’s materials and engagement timelines. These materials will be referenced throughout the webinar series.

Aug 27 Webinar Documents

• Agenda – AFN IA Webinar 1 – Introduction – Aug 27 1-3pm EST
• Backgrounder – AFN IA Webinar 1 – Introduction – Aug 27 1-3pm EST
• Backgrounder – AFN IA Webinar 1 – Introduction – IA and UNDRIP – Aug 27 1-3pm EST
• PPT – AFN IA Webinar 1 – Introduction – Aug 27 1-3pm EST
• IAAC Deck – AFN Webinar 1 – Introduction – Aug 27 1-3pm EST – Regulatory Initiatives Engagement
• IAAC Placemat – AFN IA Webinar 1 – Introduction – Aug 27 1-3pm EST

Sept 3 Webinar Documents

• Agenda – AFN IA Webinar 2 – 5 Year Review of the Project List – Sept 3 1-3pm EST
• Backgrounder – AFN IA Webinar 2 – 5 Year Review of Project List – Sept 3 1-3pm EST
• PPT – AFN IA Webinar 2 – 5 Year Review of the Project List – Sept 3 1-3pm EST
• IAAC Deck – AFN IA Webinar 2 – 5 Year Review of Project List – Sept 3 1-3pm EST

Important Documents

1. Save the Date
2. Agendas
3. Slide Decks
4. Backgrounders
5. Resolution 69/2018
6. Resolution 06/2019

Contact Information

For additional information or assistance, please contact the AFN at [email protected].