The Environmental Policy and Studies Division is responsible for a variety of strategic environmental policy and related resource management issues that support sustainable development in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut.

In the field of environmental assessment, the Division is responsible to provide guidance and direction on the application and implementation of applicable environmental assessment legislation in the three territories, including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and processes established under northern comprehensive land claim agreements. This includes providing technical and strategic policy advice on major project reviews and advice to clarify roles and responsibilities for environmental assessment in an evolving northern jurisdictional context. The Division is also responsible to advise other sectors of the Northern Affairs Program on the implementation of the Cabinet directive regarding Strategic Environmental Assessment. The Division is initiating work to assess the implications and applicability of adaptive management in the environmental assessment and regulatory process, looking to develop a framework to guide the development of future environmental agreements and guidelines for industry on preparing cumulative effects assessments.

In addition, the Division is responsible to develop policies and processes to maintain and support sound resource management regimes. Current policy initiatives include the use of Environmental Agreements as resource management tools, and the inclusion of Traditional Knowledge in resource management decision making.

Anne Snider
August 17, 2000 - Revised Oct. 2003

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