Scope of the Assessment

In order to focus on more relevant issues, the environmental effects which are specifically addressed in this EIS are those within the legislative authority of Parliament. This included fish and fish habitats defined in the Fisheries Act, species defined in the Species At Risk Act, and birds in the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

 

Other important environmental changes addressed included those which occur on federal land, changes in a province/country outside of the project location, as well as environmental changes with respect to Indigenous peoples, their health, their socio-economic conditions, their physical and cultural heritage, the use of their land/resources for traditional purposes, and sites with cultural or archaeological significance.

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The selection of the valued components is based on the requirements of the CEAA 2012. The process of VEC selection considers a wide variety of factors and stakeholders, notably the following:

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• Technical knowledge of the project

• Direct requirement of CEAA 2012 and any project-specific guidelines provided by the CEA Agency

• Discussions with other regulatory agencies, experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous groups

• Existing physical and socio-economic conditions

• Ongoing consultations with Indigenous groups and key stakeholders

• Lessons learned from previously conducted EA’s of similar projects

• The professional judgment of the assessment team.