Public Participation & Indigenous Engagement

Question 1

Why do we need to have public participation?

Answer 1

• define problem effectively
  -wider range of knowledge and info
  -identify socially acceptable solutions
  -more balanced decision making
  -minimize conflict and delays
  -facilitate implementation
  -reduce the possibility of legal challenge
  -promote social learning

Question 2

When in the IAA process in public participation encouraged

Answer 2

• starts before the formal IA begins
• Early planning phase with a public participation plan
  -the Agency publicly posts decisions made on the Impact Assessment Registry of
  Canada

Question 3

how is public participation supported financially

Answer 3

It is supported with funding made available through the Agency’s Participant Funding Program.

Question 4

What is the Impact Assessment Registry of Canada

Answer 4

DESIGNED TO:
-increase knowledge of bth parties
-build relationships
-prioritize the participation of those who are most affected by the project
-allow opinions
-influences decision-making
-participants see how their input was considered

Question 5

Levels of involvement to public participation

Answer 5

-mere ‘rubber stamp committees’ to full citizen control

-spectrum of levels to involvement

Question 6

requirements to public participation

Answer 6

-adequate notice
-access to info
-public comment
-public hearings
-participation funding

Question 7

Aboriginal consultation and engagement

Answer 7

-rights under Canadian constitution
-UNDRIP rights
-Duty to Consult based on Haida Nation v. BC
-new IAA requires increased Indigenous consultation

Question 8

Integration of Indigenous Local Knowledge is Canadian EIA policy requirement, what is the benefit to ILK

Answer 8

-improve communication an trust b/w gov & Indg communities
-create better overall environmental understanding
-recognizes different knowledge forms

Question 9

give an example of sharing Indigenous Knowledge

Answer 9

Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board is a Good
example

-considered environmental and social impacts of the Pipeline to nearby Indigenous communities

Question 10

Woodfibre LNG and Squamish Nation example of Indigenous consultation

Answer 10

Conditional approval of the Woodfibre LNG project.

Consulting lady has insight into federal proponent and FN perspective on the EA

2 year process designed and approved by Squamish nations, met and reviewed proposed project, did their own impact assessment

outcome= confidence from their Nation in the project, led their gov issuing and EA certificate
If commitments are implemented, they will be involved in the management of the project and assurance to protect their values

Question 11

BC’s EA Revitalization

Answer 11

• concerns were being raised by Indg communities about the EA process

-4 regional workshops that represented 16 FN were represented, 2 province wide forums, and direct engagement with 67 FN groups

-3 goals: enhance public confidence advance reconciliation, make clear pathways to sustainable project approvals

-new early engagement stage, seeking consensus of developments and recommendation on decision if project should proceed or not