Public Participation in Sustainability Planning and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment in Canada

Canada has a variety of resource management systems and social impact and environmental impact assessment processes, depending on the federal and territorial situation, and the status of regional land claims with Aboriginal people. With the completion of some land claims and self-government agreements have come a variety of mechanisms for making decisions on development that affect the biophysical and human environments.

Integrated Community Sustainability Planning (ICSP) Long-term, coherent, participatory approach to achieving sustainable development “a long-term plan, developed in consultation with community members, that provides direction for the community to realize sustainability objectives it has for the environmental, cultural, social and economic dimensions of its identity.” (Prime Minister’s External Advisory on Cities and Communities September 21-23, 2005)

ICSPs attempt to offer a new perspective of the traditional methods of community planning: Through the use of a participatory process that seeks to integrate and to share knowledge and solutions, communities can better understand how decisions they make will affect their future and work collectively towards achieving their goals.

Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Guidelines: provide guidance to all parties involved in conducting socio-economic impact assessments (SEIA), as part of the overall Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process of proposed developments

EIA Evaluation Process Preliminary Screening intended only to determine whether or not a development might cause a significant adverse impact or public concern. Many smaller projects will not be expected to include large amounts of socio-economic data or impact assessments; larger, more complex, or potentially controversial projects are expected to produce more in-depth analyses.

Environmental Assessment Detailed and rigorous analysis. In-depth study of a proposed development’s potential for impacts on the environment. Environmental Assessment identifies, evaluates and reports potential biophysical, social, cultural and economic impacts, and the mitigation measures to reduce or avoid these impacts. The goal is to produce good decisions about whether or not a project should proceed, and if so, under what conditions.

Environmental Impact Review development proposal examined in-depth by a Review Panel to determine and assess impacts and mitigations. Identifies any public concern. Heightened expectations of all parties to determine whether the benefits of the project outweigh the risks. Information requirements are likely to be much higher across the spectrum of potential environmental impacts, including those of the human environment. By the end of the EIR, a ministerial decision is made regarding whether or not the project may proceed to permitting and, if so, under what conditions.

Mackenzie Gas Project Several elements: 3 natural gas production fields in Mackenzie Delta Gathering pipeline system Gas processing facility near Inuvik 30 inch, 500km natural gas liquids pipeline to Norman Wells 30 inch, 8km dry gas pipeline to northern Alberta

Project Review 2004 – proposals submitted for construction and operating permits – public hearings as part of regulatory review process National Energy Board (technical, engineering & economic aspects) Joint Review Panel (social & environmental aspects) Hearings held in 26 communities in NWT and towns and cities in Alberta

‘we must continue to speak with our own voices’

Social Impacts Construction/operational phases of development Migrant labour Social & economic dynamics of community well-being Impacts on traditional/customary livelihoods

Social Impacts Family, household, community Different scales of vulnerability & resilience in social-ecological systems Enhancing social & economic impact assessments

The Duty to Consult Oil and gas exploration & development takes place in a complex political, social, economic environment Land claims & self-government negotiations Clearer definition of Aboriginal rights Consultation is statutory requirement, but also practical business matter

The Need for Regulatory Certainty Aboriginal & treaty rights – enshrined in Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982 Project proponents have duty to consult communities Government & industry need regulatory certainty before making informed economic decisions Aboriginal people need access to reliable & detailed information Proper consultation is prerequisite for industrial projects to proceed

Cumulative Effects Assessment Cumulative impacts result from the effects of a proposed development in combination with other past, present or reasonably foreseeable future developments SEIA might include long term impacts on community structures related to large scale industrial development Identification of cumulative impacts is even more difficult than indirect impact identification

Includes historical and long-term perspective Community input important for developing historical perspective Placing development project in global perspective

Sustainable development or sustainable livelihoods?