Public Comment Invited on the Environmental Assessment Policies, Procedures and Guidance Materials of Crown Corporations Involved in Providing Commercial Loans

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is currently facilitating public comment on the environmental assessment policies, procedures and guidance materials, including forms, created by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) to fulfill their obligations under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. All comments received will be shared with BDC and FCC for their consideration.

Copies of these documents can be consulted on the Agency's Web site:

• Documents of the Business Development Bank of Canada
• Documents of Farm Credit Canada

Written comments received by March 10, 2006 will be considered. Interested parties are invited to forward their comments in the official language of their choice by mail, fax or e-mail to:

Al Vachon
A/Senior Policy Advisor - Crown Corporation Unit
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Place Bell Canada, 22^nd Floor
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0H3
Tel: 613-957-0663
Fax: 613-957-0897
E-mail: al.vachon@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Effective June 11, 2006, federal parent Crown corporations will be designated as "federal authorities" under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and will be required to comply with the Act either by direct compliance or by a modified environmental assessment process set out in regulations. A parent Crown corporation is a one that is wholly owned directly by the Crown.

A proposed regulation varying the process by which BDC and FCC will notify the public of their environmental assessment activities was published for consultation in the Canada Gazette, Part I on December 31, 2005. The consultation period ended on January 30, 2006. A requirement of the proposed regulation is the public disclosure of the environmental assessment policies, procedures and guidance materials used by BDC and FCC to fulfill their obligations under the Act.