Environmental Assessments

When considering making certain licensing decisions, the CNSC is subject to environmental assessment obligations and responsibilities under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), which is the basis for federal environmental assessment (EA) in Canada.

An environmental assessment is a planning tool used by federal authorities – ministers, departments, departmental corporations and agencies of the Government of Canada – to ensure that the environmental effects of a proposed initiative are identified and evaluated, as well as to provide the public with an opportunity to participate in the process.

Under the CEAA, there are two different types of environmental assessments: screenings (including class screenings) and comprehensive studies.

Environmental assessments are on-going, completed or cancelled.

Regardless of the type of EA conducted, there are seven main steps in the process:

For more information about Environmental Assessments, please see:

• Fact Sheet on the Environmental Asssessment Process at the CNSC
• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
• Amendment to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act