C-375

Details

Full Title

An Act to amend the Impact Assessment Act (federal-provincial agreements)

First Reading

February 12, 2024, Parliament 44, Session 1

Type

Private Member’s Bill

Full Content

https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-375

Summary

Bill C-375 proposes changes to the Impact Assessment Act. The main goal is to allow the federal government to make deals with provinces. If these deals are made, certain projects might not have to follow the federal Impact Assessment Act. This would happen if the project is already being assessed by the province, and the province has a process in place to check the project's effects and how to lessen any harm.

Before a deal can be made, the federal government has to share the details with the public. People will have 60 days to share their thoughts or concerns. After that, the government will share a report on how they handled those comments. The final deal will also be made public.

These deals won't last forever. They will end after five years unless they are renewed. Either the federal government or the province can end the deal early, but they have to give the other side three months' notice. If a deal ends, the federal government can then decide that the Impact Assessment Act will apply to projects in that province again.

Issues

Environment

• Environmental Protection

  The bill focuses on environmental protection by amending the Impact Assessment Act. It allows the federal government to enter into agreements with provinces to exempt certain projects from federal impact assessments if the province has its own assessment process. This process must determine the project's likely effects, including environmental effects within federal jurisdiction, and identify ways to reduce harm. The bill also requires transparency through publication of agreements and consideration of public comments.