Electricity Filing Manual – Chapter 6 – Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment

6.1 Introduction

This chapter describes the CER’s environmental and socio-economic assessment responsibilities and process and outlines the information required in a complete application. Chapter 6 consists of two broad parts.

Sections 6.2 to 6.4 will assist an applicant in understanding how a project is evaluated and how an applicant should provide information:

6.2 – The CER’s Approach to Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment;

6.3 – Scope of Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment; and

6.4 – Level of Detail.

The applicant should carefully review the information in sections 6.2 through 6.4 to properly understand the requirements outlined in the sections that follow.

The second part of the chapter, sections 6.5 to 6.8, describes the information applicants should include in a project-specific Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment (ESA):

6.5 – Description of the Environmental and Socio-economic Setting;

6.6 – Effects Assessment;

6.7 – Cumulative Effects Assessment; and

6.8 – Inspection, Monitoring and Follow-up.

In addition to the description of the project (discussed in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 of this Manual), the applicant should describe:

the environmental and socio-economic baseline setting;
the predicted beneficial and adverse effects of the proposed project on the socio-economic and biophysical environment over the life of the project;
the methods used for effects analysis, and the rationale for selecting the methods chosen;
the proposed mitigation measures; and
the predicted significance of residual project effects and residual cumulative effects.

Figure 6-1: The Applicant’s ESA process

Figure 6-1: The Applicant’s ESA process

Graphic Description

Figure 6-1 above provides an illustrative summary of the ESA process described in this chapter as a whole.

The level of detail the CER requires in an application will vary with:

the nature and scale of the project;
the predicted effects of the project; and
the level of public interest in the project.

The applicant must provide a defensible line of reasoning, supported by facts, to support the analysis and conclusions on identified issues and the environmental and socio-economic effects of the project.

Table 6-1 in section 6.4 identifies circumstances that trigger the need for detailed information on specific biophysical or socio-economic components and considers all phases of an applied for project (construction, operation, maintenance and abandonment), including the potential for accidents and malfunctions during each phase. Table 6-2 and Table 6-3 identify those specific information requirements.

6.2 The CER’s Approach to Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment

The Commission has a broad mandate under the CER Act and it may consider matters that appear to the Commission to be directly related to the international powerlines (IPL) and relevant to its decisions or recommendations. The Commission’s environmental and socio-economic assessment responsibilities cover four distinct phases:

evaluating potential effects of constructing and operating proposed projects;
monitoring and enforcing terms and conditions before, during and after construction;
monitoring and regulating ongoing operations, including decommissioning; and
evaluating potential effects of abandonment.

The Commission’s objective for environmental and socio-economic assessment are that:

the potential effects of projects receive thorough consideration before any decisions on the project are made allowing a project to proceed;
projects are not likely to cause significant adverse effects or contribute to significant adverse cumulative effects;
there is an opportunity for meaningful participation with the public and Indigenous Peoples; and
the Commission’s process and its decisions or recommendations are transparent and reflect the input received from those participating in the impact assessment and regulatory review process.

6.3 Scope of the Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment

6.3.1 What is Scoping?

Appropriate scoping is the foundation upon which an efficient and effective environmental and socio-economic assessment is built.

The scope ensures that the assessment focuses on relevant issues and concerns, and assists in determining the appropriate level of detail to include in the assessment. Proper scoping reduces the risk of including unimportant or irrelevant information in the assessment or excluding factors that should be assessed. Scoping is the process of identifying:

the physical facilities and activities to include within the ESA; and
what biophysical and socio-economic elements are likely to be affected.

FYI – See also...

Scoping information for cumulative effects assessment is provided in section 6.7.1.

6.3.2 The Applicant’s Role in Scoping

The applicant’s role in scoping includes:

providing sufficient information for the Commission to fully understand the nature of the project it is to assess;
ensuring the applicant’s ESA focuses on relevant issues and concerns, including those identified by affected parties, and that an appropriate level of detail is included in the ESA; and
considering the factors set out in subsection 183 (2) of the CER Act. The CER expects a complete ESA from an applicant.

To assist an applicant in scoping before filing an application, the CER encourages the applicant to:

request a meeting with CER staff to discuss process-related matters and be guided to examples of complete ESAs filed previously with the CER (see section 1.6 Pre-application Meetings – Guidance Notes);
consult any relevant IAAC guidance documents and if appropriate, discuss scoping with any other relevant federal authorities; and
where appropriate, consult with other regulatory bodies at the provincial, territorial, regional, municipal or Indigenous levels of government.

An application must clearly identify, describe and substantiate:

the scope of the applied for project;
other physical facilities and activities necessary to enable the project to proceed, including directly-related ancillary facilities, such as access roads including temporary and permanent bridge crossings, or construction camps; and
other physical facilities and activities likely to occur if the applied for project is approved and proceeds, which may include other power lines and works directly related to the proposed project.

6.3.3 Scope of the assessment and the CER

The scope of the project includes the physical facilities and activities making up the project and enabling it to proceed as applied for by the applicant. It may also include other physical facilities and activities that would be undertaken if the applied for project is approved and proceeds.

The Commission determines the scope of the project by considering relevant case law, IAAC guidance and any other relevant commentary.

The Commission will review and assess the scope of the ESA based on the evidence before it. Although elements of the project or the scope of factors to be considered may change over the course of a proceeding (e.g., as a result of public or Indigenous input, or changes to the project), the application is usually the prime source of information and starting point for establishing what the Commission will consider in the impact assessment of a project.

For projects subject to a public hearing, the Commission will release a List of Issues that sets out the issues it will consider in the hearing. Within the List of Issues, environmental matters are usually identified at a sufficiently broad level that all relevant environmental effects may be considered. It is important to note the requirements within this Filing Manual amount to a standing scoping document in lieu of the CER preparing a project-specific scoping document for every project.

FYI – Reminder...

The requirements contained within this Filing Manual are essentially a generic scope of the assessment document applicable to any facility project. The description of the project within the applicant’s application sets out the scope of the project. If the information submitted is not sufficient for the Commission to be clear on scope, the Commission will request more information, which could lengthen the assessment process.

Guidance

Scope of the Project

In evaluating whether to include other physical facilities and activities directly related to the proposed project, but which may be outside of the CER’s regulatory jurisdiction, the Commission may consider factors such as:

Is the physical facility or activity within the control of the applicant for the primary project being applied for under the CER Act?
Are mitigation measures and follow-up activities enforceable by the CER, another federal or provincial department or agency, or person or body that will ensure implementation?
Are effects from the other physical facilities and activities relevant to the Commission’s decision or recommendation under the CER Act?

Impact Assessment Act Designated Physical Activities

Physical activities regulated by the CER and designated by the Physical Activities Regulations, are subject to the IA Act, and the IAAC will conduct an integrated impact assessment with support from the CER. Subsection 22(1) of the IA Act sets out the factors to be considered by a review panel in an impact assessment of a designated project.

6.4 Level of Detail

The nature of the project, together with the environmental and socio-economic setting, establish the extent of interactions between the project and the environment. Those interactions form the basis on which effects are predicted, and for understanding the appropriate level of detail needed about the setting, interactions, and predicted effects. The extent of public interest may also guide the applicant in determining the level of detail necessary.

Where the project may impact Indigenous Nations and affect the use of traditional territory or potential or established treaty or Indigenous rights, applicants must identify the potentially-affected Indigenous Peoples and carry out effective engagement with them to determine their views and concerns. If there are potential impacts, applicants must file information about the Indigenous Nations affected, the concerns they have raised, how the applicant will address the concerns and identify any outstanding concerns. The level of detail provided should reflect the nature and extent of the impacts, the nature of the rights or interests affected and the degree of concern expressed by Indigenous Peoples.

Applicants must apply gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) to identify the potential for the project to impact diverse groups of people, including groups identified by gender, in different ways, and to design engagement processes to facilitate the effective involvement of such groups. If there are potential impacts, applicants must file information about how such groups were identified, the engagement methods employed to facilitate their involvement, as well as the concerns raised and how they will be addressed. The amount of detail and depth of all information should be commensurate with the scale and scope of the project, including its potential effects, and the degree of concern expressed. Projects that are smaller in scale, or have the potential for limited, low magnitude effects may not require highly detailed information.

The information provided by an applicant in its ESA must be of sufficient detail to allow the Commission to:

identify the spatial and temporal extent of interactions between the project and the biophysical and human environments;
identify the potential effects of the project;
identify the potential for the environment to affect the project; and
determine the significance of those effects.

FYI – Example...

As an example, a project crossing a small and ephemeral watercourse during the dry period, with no activities or physical works within the fisheries sensitive zone, would likely require less detail of effects on fish and fish habitat than a project requiring in-stream construction work in a fish-bearing watercourse during spawning periods.

The applicant must clearly rationalize the level of detail provided. This is typically reflected through the following:

Description of the project: information describing how the project would cross the watercourse, (primary and alternative methods) and whether any physical works or construction would be required in or immediately adjacent to the watercourse, and if so, what these could be and how they might take place;
Environmental setting: information on the nature of the watercourse, shores, riparian zones, erosive features, its fisheries and fish habitat potential;
Interactions: information detailing the proposed timing of construction, the spatial extent of interactions, any loss of riparian or fish habitat, and extent of any potential release of a deleterious substance into the watercourse;
Predicted effects: information on any direct and indirect effects on water quality, habitat, fish and on which life stage, or any effects on other wildlife; and
Results of consultation with other regulators: information detailing the results of any consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, or the measures that will be taken to ensure compliance with the Fisheries Act with respect to fisheries protection.

The ESA must include both quantitative and qualitative information. Applicants must consider the extent to which detailed maps, survey and trend data, or diagrams or figures relating to specific areas of biophysical or socio-economic elements of interest or concern may enhance the assessment. The number and nature of biophysical and socio-economic elements considered within an ESA, and the supporting level of detail necessary, will vary depending on the setting and issues raised about the project.

Table 6-1 below provides examples of the range of circumstances that may lead to the need for detailed information and considers all phases of an applied for project (construction, operation, maintenance and abandonment), including the potential for accidents and malfunctions during each phase. Where circumstances described in Table 6-1 exist, Table 6-2 and Table 6-3 describe the specific details to include in the assessment.

Table 6-1: Circumstances and Interactions Requiring Detailed Biophysical and Socio-economic Information

Table 6-1: Circumstances and Interactions Requiring Detailed Biophysical and Socio-economic Information
Biophysical and Socio-economic Elements	Circumstances and Interactions Requiring Detailed Information (considering all phases of the project including potential accidents and malfunctions during each phase)
Physical and meteorological environment	The project may affect the morphology of unique physical features (such as physiography, bedrock, permafrost, topography, geology or other local conditions). The project may be affected by local or regional physical features, meteorological conditions or extremes, or other natural hazards. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Soil and soil productivity	Any portion of the project would be located outside a previously developed fenced or gravelled facility site. Any portion of the project is to be buried underground. The project may result in a reduction in soil productivity or integrity. Historical land use suggests soils or sediments may contain contaminants or the project may result in the contamination of soils. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Vegetation	Any portion of the project would be located outside a previously developed fenced or gravelled facility site. Any portion of the project would cross through an area that may require ongoing vegetation control to protect conductors or towers. The project may result in the proliferation of invasive species. The project may result in the damage or destruction of vegetative communities. The project may affect vegetation of specific concern to an Indigenous Nation. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Water quality and quantity	The project would be within 30 m of a water body. The project may reduce the quality or quantity of water. The project would involve the likely release or leaching of a polluting substance into a water body or groundwater. The project may result in a change in groundwater flows. The project may result in the inter-basin transfer of water. The project may affect a water body of specific concern to an Indigenous Nation. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Fish and fish habitat	The project is within 30 m of a fish-bearing water body or its tributaries. The project may result in the deposit of a polluting or harmful substance into a fish-bearing water body. Local fisheries exist that may be affected by the project. The project may affect fish or fish habitat of specific concern to an Indigenous Nation. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Wetlands	The project would include physical facilities or activities within 30 m of a wetland. The project would include activities or physical facilities within regionally, provincially, territorially or federally-established limits of a wetland with provincial, territorial, regional or federal status. The project may result in loss of wetland functions. The project may affect wetlands of specific concern to an Indigenous Nation. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Wildlife and wildlife habitat	The project would be located on or near lands that might constitute sensitive habitat for wildlife (e.g., nesting, denning, overwintering, migratory/staging, movement corridors, forest interior habitat, mineral licks). The project would be located on or near an area of environmental significance or of natural or scientific interest such as a National Park, a Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a National Wildlife Area, an Important Bird Area, World Biosphere Reserve, or a designated Environmental Sensitive Area. The project may create new human access opportunities to important wildlife habitat. The project may result in a loss or change to wildlife habitat function (e.g., nesting, foraging, migration). The project may result in increased mortality or disturbance of wildlife. The project may affect wildlife of specific concern to an Indigenous Nation. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Species at Risk or Species of Special Status and related habitat	The study area includes lands within the identified range of a species at risk or species of special status, and includes habitat that could support these species. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change	The CER Act requires, for applications for certain projects, that the Commission take into account a number of specified factors to consider including: “The extent to which the effects of the project/pipeline hinder or contribute to the Government of Canada’s ability to meet its environmental obligations and its commitments in respect of climate change.” This requirement expressly applies to pipelines [paragraph 183(2)(j)], certificates for power lines [paragraph 262(2)(f)], and authorizations for offshore renewable energy projects or offshore power lines [paragraph 298(3)(f)]. This factor consists of two separate considerations: climate change commitments and environmental obligations. This section addresses the climate change commitments, while environmental obligations are addressed below.
Air emissions	There may be increased air emissions from operating or maintaining the project. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Acoustic environment	The project may result in increased noise levels during construction, operation and maintenance (e.g., blasting, or noise from construction traffic). There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Electromagnetism and Corona Discharge	The project may change the existing environmental setting related to electromagnetic fields. The project will have the potential to result in radio and television interference.
Human occupancy and resource use	The project will not be located entirely within a previously developed facility site, on company owned land, zoned for industrial purposes. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Heritage resources	The project would include clearing of vegetation, grading, trenching, excavating or drilling. The project would create new human access opportunities to areas with heritage resources or resource potential. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Navigation and navigation safety	The project includes activities to be conducted or components to be located in, on, over, under, through or across a navigable waterway when the water is flowing (i.e., not seasonally dry or frozen). There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Traditional land and resource use	The project would be located on, or traverse, Crown land or the traditional territory, reserve land or settlement area of an Indigenous Nation. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Social and cultural well-being	The project may affect the social and cultural well-being of Indigenous Nations, local residents or communities. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Human health and aesthetics	The project may affect local or regional water quality and quantity or air quality. The project may change the existing environmental setting related to odours, visual aesthetics (beauty) or other sensory conditions. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Infrastructure and services	The project may cause temporary or permanent damage, or require additions, modifications or repairs to local or regional infrastructure. The project may result in increased demands on local and regional services. The project may affect the usage of roadways during construction and operation. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Employment and economy	The project may affect local and regional employment, procurement (ordering) and contracting conditions or government revenues. There is outstanding concern about this element of the project, which has not been resolved through engagement.
Environmental Obligations	The CER Act requires, for applications for certain projects, that the Commission take into account a number of specified factors to consider. Among the factors to consider are: “The extent to which the effects of the project/pipeline hinder or contribute to the Government of Canada’s ability to meet its environmental obligations and its commitments in respect of climate change.” This requirement applies to, pipelines [paragraph 183(2)(j)], certificates for power lines [paragraph 262(2)(f)], and authorizations for offshore renewable energy projects or offshore power lines [paragraph 298(3)(f)]. This factor consists of two separate considerations: climate change commitments and environmental obligations. This section addresses environmental obligations, while climate change commitments are addressed above. NOTE: This section of the CER Act is consistent with paragraph 22(1)(i) of the IA Act. The IAAC has developed guidance related to the assessment of Canada’s environmental obligations. Any future iterations of that guidance may influence future filing requirements for CER Act project applications.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples	The CER Act requires, for applications for certain projects, that the Commission take into account all considerations that appear to it to be relevant and directly related to the project, including a number of specified factors to consider. Among the factors to consider are: “The effects on the rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.” This requirement applies to pipelines [paragraph 183(2)(e)], certificates for power lines [paragraph 262(2)(e)], and authorizations for offshore renewable energy projects or offshore power lines [paragraph 298(3)(e)]. NOTE: The CER is aware that the IAAC is developing guidance documents that will include guidance related to the assessment of effects on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. That guidance may influence future filing requirements for CER Act project applications and assessment by the Commission.

6.5 Description of the Environmental and Socio-economic Setting

A description of the environmental and socio-economic setting within the study area (also known as “baseline information”) is necessary to predict the effects of a proposed project. This baseline information provides a backdrop against which a project’s effects are assessed, including cumulative effects of a project. The applicant is not expected to provide extensive descriptions of features of the environment or socio-economic components that would clearly not be impacted by a proposed project.

Goal

The application describes the biophysical and socio-economic setting with sufficient detail to:

identify the elements of importance in the area;
identify project-environment interactions;
identify, predict and determine the significance of effects of the project;
identify and predict the effects of the environment on the project; and
formulate appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring programs.

Filing Requirements

1. Identify and describe the current biophysical and socio-economic setting of each element (i.e., baseline information) in the area where the project is to be carried out. Include both a map at an appropriate scale and describe:

the study area(s), and how the study area(s) were established;
the ecological land classification and key terrain features, such as mountains, rivers, lakes and other important features;
the locations of any nearby communities and residences (permanent and temporary) and significant landmarks;
current local economy and trends;
current land and resource uses, including traditional land and resource uses;
the potential to encounter heritage resources;
the areas of physical and environmental constraints (e.g., biophysical, land use or natural resource use);
navigable waterways that may be affected by project components (e.g., temporary and permanent bridges, marine terminals and loading facilities);
consistency between the project and any regional land use plans;
any environmentally sensitive areas, sensitive habitats, or areas of special concern (e.g., existing and candidate protected areas), including those identified through engagement with the public or Indigenous Peoples, which influence facility routing or site locations;
the locations of all proposed facilities; and
a list of projects and/or activities in the project area.

FYI – Additional information...

Where the current state of the environment has been significantly altered from the past, the applicant must describe:

how far back in time past activities are relevant and
the past activities or past state of the environment.

This may be particularly relevant for assessing cumulative effects or identifying a baseline for reclamation goals (e.g., for restoring native vegetation).

2. Describe which biophysical and socio-economic elements in the study area are of ecological, economic or human importance and require more detailed analysis taking into account the results of engagement (see Table 6-1 for examples). Where circumstances require more detailed information in an ESA, see:

Table 6-2, Information Requirements for Biophysical Elements; or
Table 6-3, Information Requirements for Socio-economic Elements.

3. Provide supporting evidence (e.g., references to scientific literature, field studies, local and traditional knowledge, previous impact assessment and monitoring reports) for:

information and data collected;
analysis completed;
conclusions reached; and
the extent of professional judgment or experience relied upon in meeting these information requirements, and the rationale for that extent of reliance.

4. Describe and substantiate the methods used for any surveys such as those pertaining to wildlife, fisheries, plants, species at risk or species of special status, soils, heritage resources or traditional land use and for establishing the baseline setting for the atmospheric and acoustic environment. If the season for a particular survey was not optimal, discuss the limitations of survey results or indicate when and how additional surveys will be conducted.

5. Applicants must consult with other expert federal, provincial or territorial departments and other relevant authorities on requirements for baseline information and methods.

Guidance

Study Area

The study area(s) must be of sufficient size to encompass the spatial boundaries of the project related facilities or activities (e.g., access roads, temporary and permanent bridges).

The study area must cover at least one kilometre on each side of the power line. It must also to be of sufficient size and orientation to encompass all areas where valued components may be affected by the project, for example:

areas downstream and immediately upstream;
areas in which the project may be within the range of vision;
species’ home ranges and migratory patterns;
affected communities and known or asserted areas of Indigenous traditional land and resource use; and
areas in which infrastructure is affected or new or enhanced infrastructure would be needed.

Typically, the study area encompassing the above-noted areas extends beyond a narrow corridor or project site. Section 6.7 provides additional guidance on the study area for a cumulative effects assessment.

Source of Baseline Information

Baseline information must include both scientific information and local and traditional knowledge.

Information sources and data collection methods used for describing the baseline environmental and socio-economic setting may consist of:

field studies, including site-specific survey methods;
database searches, including of federal, provincial, territorial and local data banks;
sailing directions, recreational waterway guides, etc.
field measurements to gather data on ambient or background levels for air quality or acoustic environment;
remote sensing information;
literature reviews;
literature produced by government agencies and academic institutions;
renewable resource harvest data;
expert, community and traditional knowledge interviews (e.g., with regulatory agencies, Indigenous Peoples, community and nature conservation groups, local outfitters and recreational organizations including navigation user groups, as well as with local residents, landowners and land users); and
statistical surveys, as applicable;

The validity and accuracy of the baseline information used in the ESA must be supported by:

describing and substantiating the sampling, survey and research protocols or techniques followed for each information source or data collection method used;
indicating that proper record-keeping practices have been implemented to maintain survey results for future reference, including measures to respect confidentiality of sensitive information contained in Indigenous traditional land and resource use studies; and
wherever appropriate, quantifying and analyzing any statistical survey data obtained.

FYI – See also...

Additional guidance on baseline information for a cumulative effects assessment is provided in section 6.7.1.

6.5.1 Identifying the Need for Detailed Biophysical and Socio-economic Information

Additional biophysical and socio-economic information must be included with the application if there is evidence of public concern, or if any of the circumstances identified in Table 6-1 exist. Table 6-2 and Table 6-3 describe the specific details that should be included.

Applicants are reminded that detailed information is only required for the elements that are identified as having potential environmental or socio-economic effects. Further, a clear and defensible explanation should be provided as to why any element in Table 6-1 is not addressed.

Gender-based analysis plus (GBA+)

The CER Act requires, for applications for certain projects, the Commission take into account a number of specified factors to consider. Among the factors to consider are:

“The health, social and economic effects, including with respect to the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors.”

This requirement applies to, pipelines [subsection 183(2)(c)], certificates for power lines [paragraph 262(2)(c)], and authorizations for offshore renewable energy projects or offshore power lines [paragraph 298(3)(c)].

NOTE: These sections of the CER Act are consistent with paragraph 22(1)(s) of the IA Act. The CER is aware that the IAAC has developed guidance documents related to the intersection of sex and gender.^Footnote 2That guidance may influence future filing requirements for CER Act project applications and assessments by the Commission.

Gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) is a means of identifying and analyzing how sex, gender and other identity factors might result in different groups of people being affected by a pipeline or power line project in different ways. Individual and social identity factors can include sex, gender, religion, race, social position, income, age, ability, and education. By working through a GBA+ analysis, the Commission can better understand the possible disproportionate effects of a project on distinct groups of people, including on vulnerable populations and populations identified by gender.

Gender-based analysis is not new to impact assessment at the CER; however, the CER is making the following changes to guide companies in identifying and predicting a project’s socio-cultural effects on communities. This includes guidance on how to address GBA+ in the CER Early Engagement Guide.

6.6 Effects Assessment

Goal

The application includes information on the potential biophysical and socio-economic effects of the project, with sufficient detail to:

predict and analyze the nature and extent those effects;
identify mitigation options to protect the biophysical and socio-economic environment and analyze their effectiveness; and
determine the significance of any effects remaining following mitigation, including the significance of cumulative effects.

6.6.1 Identification and Analysis of Effects

Filing Requirements

1. Describe the methods used to predict the potential effects of the project on the biophysical and socio-economic elements, and the effects of the environment on the project.

This Manual assumes a valued component based approach to effects assessment where the application focuses on those biophysical or socio-economic elements, or a subset of those elements (see guidance below), that may be affected by a project and are of concern or value to the public and Indigenous Peoples. Applicants must identify valued components for which effects are predicted and explain why and how the valued components were identified.

If another method is used to assess potential effects on, the biophysical and socio-economic elements described in Table 6-1, Table 6-2, and Table 6-3, then provide the details and rationale on the that method.

Provide the details of any important aspects of uncertainty associated with the analysis.

Where professional knowledge or experience is cited, describe the extent of professional judgment or experience relied upon, the rationale for that extent of reliance and how the resulting conclusions or decisions were reached.

2. Predict the effects associated with the proposed project, including those that could be caused by construction, operations, decommissioning or abandonment, as well as accidents and malfunctions. Also include effects the environment could have on the project.

FYI – Reminder...

If there are no predicted interactions between project activities and a biophysical or socio-economic element, then no further analysis is necessary for the element. Instead, provide sufficient description of the project or setting to demonstrate why no interactions are predicted.

For those biophysical and socio-economic elements, or their valued component that require further analysis (see Table 6-1), provide the detailed information outlined in Table 6-2 and Table 6-3. This must include, but is not limited to, a description and quantification of:

spatial and temporal boundaries for the effects analysis of each biophysical or socio-economic element or valued component associated with the project;
local and regional conditions of each biophysical or socio-economic element or valued component (i.e., location, distribution, abundance, status, sensitivity to the project, ability to recover, and natural variation of valued components, as appropriate), including how this is expected to change from baseline if the project were to proceed;
factors influencing change, the limiting factors, and the natural variation for each valued component, if known;
magnitude and reversibility of any predicted change from baseline conditions;
local, regional and federal management objectives (e.g., recovery strategies, action plans, management plans and land use plans) and thresholds, and identify how the effects of the project relate to such strategies, plans, objectives or thresholds;
methods used for any modeling, including the assumptions used and limitations of the models; and
information about reporting requirements for all levels of government (e.g., for GHGs), if applicable.

For each valued component, provide or reference any supporting information used in the project effects analysis, such as:

public comments;
consultations with other regulators and departments or agencies;
scientific literature;
local and traditional knowledge;
status reports;
approved recovery strategies, action plans and management plans for species at risk; and
follow-up studies and case studies from other projects.

Guidance

The identification and analysis of project effects builds directly on scoping, the description of the environmental and socio-economic setting, and the level of detail considerations described above.

Typically, applicants use a valued component approach to focus the effects analysis on practical and representative components of the biophysical and socio-economic environment. Valued components could be the broad elements described in Table 6-1, Table 6-2 and Table 6-3 or a representative subset of those elements. In that way, the analysis of potential effects focuses on the components of those biophysical or socio-economic elements where project-environment interactions are more readily assessable, and on the interactions that may be of concern to the public or Indigenous Peoples (often termed Valued Environmental Components [VECs] or Valued Socio-economic Components [VSCs]). The valued components selected must:

be indicative of predicted effects that could result from the project over time;
have baseline data available in order to determine the significance of effects;
be able to reflect measurable changes that result from the project effects over time.
be sufficient to identify different effects on diverse groups of people, including groups identified by sex and gender, as identified through gender-based analysis plus (GBA+); and
be sufficient to identify potential effects on the exercise of Indigenous rights, including effects on the resources involved in or required for the exercise of those rights, specific locations of cultural importance where those rights are exercised, and an Indigenous Nation’s cultural traditions, laws and governance systems and how those systems inform the manner in which they exercise their rights.

The analysis should result in an understanding of where uncertainty about project-environment interactions may exist, or where information gaps necessary to predict effects may remain.

Spatial and Temporal Boundaries

The spatial and temporal boundaries should:

be provided for each valued component, along with a rationale for selecting those boundaries;
include the area over which effects on valued components may occur. This area could include a population boundary, home range, airshed, watershed, Indigenous traditional land and resource use area, or municipal or regional planning district;
include the duration that each valued component may be affected;
consider the effects of the project on the valued component and the extent to which those effects are measurable;
include all phases of the project; and
not be constrained by jurisdictional boundaries.

Analysis

The analysis methods must be fully disclosed and meet the study needs. In addition to meeting the requirements of other regulations (e.g., Species at Risk Act [SARA], Migratory Bird Convention Act [MBCA], Fisheries Act, etc.), the analysis of project effects must take into account local, regional and federal policy or management objectives (e.g., recovery strategies, action plans, management plans and land use plans) and thresholds. Where there are no management objectives or thresholds, include information on the current state of knowledge on the valued component. After a review of the available literature, if the state of knowledge is incomplete or there is substantial uncertainty, identify any information gaps, and indicate if and how they will be filled. Where uncertainty exists about the project effects on a valued component, describe how the inspection and monitoring program will reduce the uncertainty.

Where there is applicable local and traditional knowledge, it must be included in the ESA. See section 5.3 Outcomes of Project-specific Engagement Activities, for further details on engaging with Indigenous persons and communities and gathering traditional knowledge.

Effects Assessment for Accidents and Malfunctions

The prevention of any accidents and malfunctions associated with CER-regulated projects is the CER’s goal. In the event an accident or malfunction does occur, the CER will hold its regulated companies accountable for an appropriate response under their Emergency Management Program.

The applicant’s ESA must identify and assess the effects on workers, the public, and biophysical and socio-economic elements of all potential accidents and malfunctions.

Accidents and malfunctions and associated emergencies can result from numerous events, including equipment failure, human error, natural perils such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes, and terrorism or other criminal activities. Multi-hazard emergencies, such as an earthquake, may cause facility damage, fires and explosions, which result in injury and further property damage.

The level of detail provided on potential effects of accidents and malfunctions will depend on the:

type, scale, and location of the proposed project;
environmental and socio-economic sensitivities within potentially affected areas; and
extent to which an applicant’s existing Emergency Management Program and other plans and manuals address the issues and concerns about the proposed project.

Abandonment

The abandonment of an IPL requires an application to the CER.

For an application to construct and operate an IPL, the level of detail provided may be constrained by the uncertainties inherent with forecasting a phase of the project that may be several decades in the future. However, an abandonment application should outline what project components would be removed and how the right of way would be returned to a state comparable with the surrounding environment.

6.6.2 Mitigation Measures

Filing Requirements

1. Describe the standard and project specific mitigation measures and their adequacy for addressing the project effects, or clearly reference specific sections of company manuals that provide mitigation measures. Ensure that referenced manuals are current and filed with the CER.

FYI – Reminder...

See section 1.5 Previously Filed Material, for guidelines on referring to information already filed with the CER.

If more than one mitigation measure is proposed as a possibility for any particular effect, provide the applicable criteria for selecting the mitigation to use, or describe how measures would be combined to mitigate against a single effect.
If new mitigation measures are to be used, provide any test results or a technically based rationale for their use and describe how their effectiveness will be evaluated.
Ensure mitigation measures are appropriate for the scale of impacts predicted.
If project effects cannot be avoided, mitigation must reduce or compensate for them.
Where an applicant hires a third party to prepare its ESA, provide a statement committing to adopting and implementing all mitigation recommendations included in the ESA. Explain any mitigation recommendations not adopted and provide alternative approaches, as appropriate.
Identify the conditions of approvals or permits required by other regulatory bodies related to the mitigation of environmental or socio-economic effects.

2. Ensure that commitments about mitigative measures will be communicated to field staff for implementation through an Environmental Protection Plan (EPP). An EPP might be simple and concise for smaller, less complex projects but for certain projects (see guidance below), the CER may require a comprehensive EPP. An EPP must include all environmental commitments specific to the project and include or cross-reference other plans and programs relied on. Describe any plans or programs that may be used to mitigate potential effects (e.g., waste management plans, invasive species plans, horizontal directional drill contingency plans, heritage resource discovery contingency plans, etc.).

3. Describe plans and measures to address potential effects of accidents and malfunctions during construction and operation of the project (see guidance under Identification and Analysis of Effects, Accidents and Malfunctions in section 6.6.1).

Guidance

Mitigation Measures

Mitigation measures are:

developed during a project’s feasibility study;
developed during project design;
defined in the project plan;
refined as the ESA progresses and the project’s predicted environmental and socio-economic effects become more certain, and
may be standard or project-specific measures.

The identification and analysis of effects and mitigation measures may be presented together.

Mitigation Options

At the application stage of the proposed project many mitigation measures may still be tentative, subject to further detailed design and to site specific environmental conditions. For these cases the ESA should describe:

the different mitigative options available and being considered; and
the criteria that will be used for selecting the actual mitigation to be implemented.

Including the options and selection criteria for contingency measures in an EPP may avoid having to submit variance applications to the CER if changes in field conditions require use of construction alternatives.

FYI – Reminder...

In some cases, the proposed route or site, route segments, facility design or construction methods may themselves be forms of environmental mitigation when compared to alternative routing, design or construction methods. This may be demonstrated in the application’s discussion of alternatives (see section 4.5) by:

identifying which design features and construction methods are considered to be mitigation;
identifying any alternatives that were considered to these features or methods and the proposed routing; and
providing a comparative analysis of the mitigation measures considered.

Environmental Protection Plan (EPP)

Although the CER expects an EPP to be prepared for all projects, the size and scope of an EPP will vary. An EPP is specific to a project and is a tool to communicate a company’s environmental protection procedures and mitigation measures to employees, contractors, and regulators. The purpose of an EPP is to document and communicate all project-specific environmental commitments made by an applicant and the associated mitigation measures in a clear and user-friendly format.

The Commission may request a comprehensive EPP during the examination of an application, or as a condition of approval to be complied with before construction. The Commission may expect a comprehensive EPP to be filed under the following circumstances:

when the applicant does not have up-to-date company manuals on file with the CER that document its environmental protection procedures;
if site-specific or project-specific mitigation or protection measures are provided by the applicant as commitments to avoid or address predicted adverse environmental effects in the application; or
if the application and assessment process is lengthy or complex, and environmental protection measures and commitments are contained in several different places or documents (e.g., responses to information requests).

Comprehensive EPP are typically required for larger facility applications. In these circumstances, the CER encourages companies to submit a draft EPP containing all preliminary environmental protection and mitigation measures with their application to assist the Commission in assessing the application. Should the project be approved, the CER often requires the company to file an updated EPP before starting construction.

When preparing its EPP, an applicant should consider:

identifying specific goals for protecting environmental elements and addressing socio-economic elements;
describing the environmental protection objective for each goal, and providing mitigative options to meet those objectives based on site-specific conditions; and
providing decision-making criteria for choosing which measures and procedures to implement and under what circumstances for each objective.

Draft EPP

If a draft EPP is filed with the application, it should contain:

the purpose of the EPP, a summary of the project with a map, and a description of how environmental compliance would be achieved for the project;
the resource-specific mitigation to be applied for the project, and the general environmental protection measures for each phase of construction;
relevant construction specifications and drawings to execute environmental mitigation measures, and the corresponding environmental alignment sheets;
other more detailed plans as applicable (e.g., waste management plan, emergency and security management plans, contingency plans, and other element-specific management plans and programs);
the assignment of accountabilities and responsibilities for carrying out practices and procedures, making criteria-based decisions and confirming compliance with the Environmental Protection Program; and
a table of contacts for reporting environmental incidents as required by other regulators.

Final EPP

A final comprehensive EPP must:

include all items required in a draft EPP;
if relevant, include an amendment or concordance table detailing changes from the draft to final version of the EPP;
incorporate all environmental commitments made during the CER application assessment process, including all requirements set out in permits, certificates, or any other authorizations;
include a copy of any CER discussion or assessment of environmental matters as set out in or attached to the CER certificate or permit;
include additional requirements as a result of season-specific field surveys conducted before construction;
include the GPS locations for environmentally-sensitive areas identified in the surveys; and
include updated environmental alignment sheets summarizing all pertinent environmental issues and the corresponding mitigation measures that will be implemented during construction.

Variances to the EPP

It is the responsibility of the company to apply to the CER for variances to the commitments made in the application, in the application assessment process or as required in the project approval conditions. It is therefore of benefit to the applicant to incorporate decision making criteria for choosing which measures and procedures to implement and under what circumstances. Where this is done, there may be sufficient flexibility to respond to changes that result in the field without filing a variance application.

Further information about variation applications can be obtained from the CER Operations Project Manager assigned to the project or activity.

Waste Management Plan

A waste management plan for the control of contaminated and non-contaminated waste from the project is required. The plan must describe the purpose of the plan, the types of waste anticipated, the resulting prevention and mitigation measures to be applied to manage that waste, and how any relevant reporting requirements will be met. The plan must also include a reporting structure, contact list and reference to other applicable legislation.

Mitigation for Potential Effects of Accidents and Malfunctions

An applicant’s programs, plans and manuals should be considered as part of its mitigation of potential effects of accidents and malfunctions.

There may also be project-specific plans and commitments an applicant should consider as part of its mitigation of potential effects of accidents and malfunctions. As noted in section 6.1, these must also be incorporated into a company’s programs as appropriate.

6.6.3 Evaluation of Significance

Filing Requirements

1. After taking into account any appropriate mitigation measures, identify any remaining residual effects from the project.

2. Describe the methods and criteria used to determine the significance of adverse effects, including defining the point at which any particular effect on a valued component is considered “significant”.

3. Evaluate the significance of residual adverse environmental and socio-economic effects against the defined criteria.

4. Evaluate the likelihood of significant residual adverse environmental and socio-economic occurring and substantiate the conclusion made.

Guidance

Evaluating environmental and socio-economic effects consists of assessing:

whether the effects are adverse;
whether the adverse effects are significant; and
whether the significant adverse effects are likely.

A common way for an applicant to assess a project’s effects is to compare the quality of the existing environment with the predicted quality of the environment if the project is approved and built. The direction of change to the environment may be adverse, neutral or beneficial.

The following criteria may be useful in assessing the significance of a project’s adverse effects:

magnitude;
duration;
frequency;
geographic extent;
ecological context; and
reversibility or degree of permanence.

In applying these criteria to each residual effect, an applicant must define each criteria and the range considered within each criteria. To help evaluate the significance of a particular effect and define the point at which it becomes “significant”, consider providing rating attributes (e.g., low / moderate / high) for each significance criteria and defining the range of each attribute. An applicant must also describe how each criterion or combination of criteria was used to reach the applicant’s significance conclusion.

Definitions for rating criteria are expected to be quantitative and based on standards, guidelines, objectives or other established and accepted ecological thresholds. In the absence of any such references or regulatory guidance, or where these are not quantitative (e.g., it may not be appropriate to set thresholds to determine “acceptable levels of change”, in relation to all socio-economic effects), then rating attribute definitions must be qualitative and based on available research literature. Applicants must also consider the level and nature of concerns raised by the public and address issues of concern to Indigenous Nations potentially affected by the project.

The significance of adverse effects could also be assessed by comparing effects to conformity requirements within approved land use plans or conducting a quantitative risk assessment.

Where professional judgement is used to determine the significance of adverse effects, the extent of reliance on professional judgement must be described and rationale for the extent of the reliance must be provided. An applicant’s ESA must provide an evaluation of the likelihood and significance of any adverse environmental effects, for consideration by the Commission.

Assessing the likelihood of significant adverse effects must be based on the probability of occurrence and state the level of scientific uncertainty. If a qualitative determination of the likelihood of significant adverse effects is used, provide a clear rationale and supporting information.

6.7 Cumulative Effects Assessment

Goal

The application must include information about the interaction between predicted residual environmental and socio-economic effects of the project and effects from other projects or activities that have been or will be carried out. This information must provide enough detail to:

identify and analyze cumulative environmental and socio-economic effects;
identify proposed mitigation measures to protect the environment and address socio-economic effects, and to analyze their effectiveness; and
evaluate the significance of any predicted cumulative effects.

6.7.1 Scoping and Analysis of Cumulative Effects

Filing Requirements

1. Identify the valued components for which residual effects are predicted, and describe and justify the methods used to predict any residual effects.

FYI – Additional Information...

Both significant and non-significant residual effects may contribute to cumulative effects and must be considered. Residual effects are those effects remaining after implementing the applicant’s mitigation measures. If the applicant can clearly demonstrate that no residual effects are predicted, further analysis of cumulative effects is not required.

2. For each valued component where residual effects have been identified, describe and justify the spatial and temporal boundaries used to assess the potential cumulative effects.

3. Identify other physical facilities or activities that have been or will be carried out within the identified spatial and temporal boundaries for the cumulative effects assessment.

4. Identify whether the effects those physical facilities or activities that have been or will be carried out would be likely to produce effects on the valued components within the identified spatial or temporal boundaries.

5. Where other physical facilities or activities may affect the valued components for which residual effects from the applicant’s proposed project are predicted, continue the cumulative effects assessment as follows:

Consider the various components, phases and activities associated with the applicant’s project that could interact with other physical facilities or activities.
Provide a description of the extent of the cumulative effects on valued components.
Where professional knowledge or experience is cited, explain the extent to which professional knowledge or experience was relied upon and justify how the resulting conclusions or decisions were reached.

Guidance

Cumulative Effects Assessment

Assessing cumulative effects typically requires the same method of analysis as described in the project-specific effects assessment. As discussed in sections 6.3 to 6.6, the baseline information, project description and project-specific mitigation measures already captured in the application must be provided in enough detail to characterize the extent of the residual effects of the project.

Section 6.6 and Table 6-2, and Table 6-3 outline the type of information required for a project-specific effects assessment. Although the tables also make specific note of information required for a cumulative effects assessment for valued components, all information requirements contained in the tables should be evaluated, as appropriate, as a guide for applicants in completing a cumulative effects assessment.

A cumulative effects assessment differs from a conventional project-specific effects assessment in that it typically includes:

larger geographic study areas;
longer time frames;
environmental and socio-economic effects associated with physical facilities or activities that may not be directly related to the applied for project (e.g., upstream or downstream facilities not within the CER’s jurisdiction, a proposed highway project or residential sub-division in the study area, ongoing forestry or agricultural activities); and
spatial boundaries that are generally not constrained by jurisdictional boundaries.

The level of effort and scale of the cumulative effects assessment should be appropriate to:

the nature and context of the project under assessment;
its potential residual effects; and
the environmental and socio-economic setting (e.g., an increased level of detail may be required when rapid or intensive development of the region has occurred or is anticipated, or particular environmental or socio-economic sensitivities or risks are involved, such as significant Indigenous traditional use).

Applicants should also consult the IAAC’s “Operational Policy Statement – Assessing Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012”.

Other Physical Facilities or Activities

Provide clear reasoning, with supporting rationale, for selecting the other existing and future physical facilities or activities to be included within the cumulative effects assessment. When identifying other physical facilities or activities, include those physical facilities or activities likely to take place as opposed to those not reasonably foreseeable or hypothetical.

Consideration of other physical facilities or activities that have been or will be carried out within the defined spatial and temporal boundaries must, at a minimum, include:

existing projects and activities;
those physical facilities or activities for which formal plans or applications have been made or are likely to occur; and
other related project or activity development assumptions that support and are consistent with the long-term economic or financial assumptions (Chapter 7) and engineering assumptions (Chapter 4) made in the application, even if formal plans or applications have not yet been made.

The Courts have said that the decisions of responsible authorities are not required to “consider fanciful projects by imagined parties producing purely hypothetical effects”.^Footnote 3 However, the Commission does have discretion to consider future development scenarios if it is reasonable to anticipate that the applied for project could contribute to the potential cumulative effects resulting from such future development (i.e., if the economic feasibility of the applied for project is contingent upon the future development). The extent to which an applicant must consider the effects associated with other future physical facilities and activities and the associated depth of analysis will depend upon the relative contribution of the applied for project to the predicted cumulative effects.

Where intensive or expansive development of the region is occurring or anticipated, details regarding the flexibility of project-specific mitigation and monitoring strategies become particularly important and should also be provided with the application to demonstrate the ability of the applicant to adapt its plans in the future should the resulting cumulative effects differ from those predicted (further Filing Requirements and Guidance for project related monitoring are provided in section 6.8 below).

The CER recognizes that an applicant’s depth of analysis in assessing the effects associated with other future physical facilities and activities will depend on the feasibility and practicality of assessing those effects. For example, future effects associated with projects not within the direct control of the applicant and for which there is limited information, or which are still in early planning stages, are inherently more challenging to assess. Despite this, an applicant should use the best available information or undertake additional work to assess these potential effects. Any uncertainties associated with the information used and any assumptions or limitations associated with the analysis must be explained.

6.7.2 Mitigation Measures for Cumulative Effects

Filing Requirements

1. Describe the general and specific mitigation measures beyond project-specific mitigation already considered, that are technically and economically feasible to address any cumulative effects.

If appropriate, provide any additional mitigation measures being considered as alternatives to the preferred cumulative effects-specific measures (e.g., adaptive or contingency measures).
If more than one mitigation measure is available for any particular cumulative effect, then provide the criteria that would be applied to select the mitigation to use (e.g., for the application of contingency plans).
If new or unproven mitigation measures are to be used, provide any test results or a technically based rationale for their use and describe how their effectiveness would be evaluated.
Indicate the likelihood of success in reducing or avoiding cumulative effects by the application of the mitigation measures identified.

Guidance

Mitigation of cumulative effects may include broader-scale planning measures or initiatives to reduce interactions and effects from multiple projects or activities. Potentially effective mitigation of cumulative effects may not be within the direct control of, or undertaken by, the applicant. For example, operators may have cooperation plans in place to prevent simultaneous occurrence of activities or projects, or multiple operators may cooperatively make use of existing disturbed areas to prevent new disturbances. Further, regional-level multi-stakeholder planning initiatives may also be evaluated as a means to mitigate cumulative effects. Where such measures or initiatives are in place, an applicant should clearly explain why the identified mitigation would be appropriate to mitigate any cumulative effects. If the mitigation is not within the direct control of the applicant, it should state who would implement the mitigation and how that responsible party intends to monitor implementation of the mitigation.

Various forms of compensation (e.g., habitat offsets) should also be considered as part of an applicant’s proposed mitigation, as appropriate.

If monitoring or research programs are identified as a means to adaptively manage cumulative effects, the applicant should explicitly identify how those programs will be used to avoid or reduce effects (i.e., which management actions will be triggered when certain ecological or socio-economic effects are identified, or thresholds reached).

6.7.3 Applicant’s Evaluation of Significance of Cumulative Effects

Filing Requirements

1. After taking into account any appropriate mitigation measures for cumulative effects, identify the remaining residual cumulative effects.

2. Describe the methods and criteria used to determine the significance of remaining adverse cumulative effects, including defining the point at which each identified cumulative effect on a valued component is considered “significant”.

3. Evaluate the significance of adverse residual cumulative effects against the defined criteria. If the total cumulative effect on a given valued component is considered significant, describe the incremental increase in total cumulative effects caused by the project.

4. Evaluate the likelihood of significant, residual adverse cumulative environmental and socio-economic effects occurring and substantiate the conclusions.

Guidance

Refer to section 6.6.3 for guidance on evaluating the likelihood and significance of adverse residual environmental and socio-economic effects on a project-specific basis. The key difference between determining the significance of project-specific effects versus cumulative effects is the consideration of other physical facilities and activities. The evaluation of significance must focus on the total cumulative effect that may be created from all physical facilities and activities considered in combination with the proposed project. The definition of significance must be clearly explained and take into account local, regional and federal policy and management objectives (e.g., recovery strategies, action plans, management plans and land-use plans) and thresholds.

6.8 Inspection, Monitoring and Follow-up

Goal

The application describes the environmental protection plans and programs that will be in place to anticipate, prevent, mitigate and manage potentially adverse environmental effects over the life of the project.

Filing Requirements

1. Describe inspection plans to ensure compliance with biophysical and socio-economic commitments in sufficient detail to demonstrate adequacy and effectiveness. Plans must:

identify those positions accountable and responsible for monitoring and ensuring environmental compliance;
reference inspection procedures, and describe any accountability and reporting structure for environmental inspectors; and
describe minimum qualifications and experience, including training requirements of individuals who will be undertaking inspection and monitoring responsibilities.

2. Describe the surveillance and monitoring program for the protection of the IPL, the public and the environment. The monitoring program must be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate its adequacy and effectiveness and must include

methods for:
1. identifying and tracking environmental and socio-economic issues;
2. resolving any environmental and socio-economic issues specific to the project, including any sampling programs or site-specific investigations as appropriate; and
3. monitoring the effectiveness of mitigation and reclamation, based on established reclamation criteria (see requirements of individual elements in Table 6-2) as well as the applicant’s performance measures and targets for each mitigation measure;
a description of the frequency or schedule for implementing the procedures listed above; and
the criteria for assigning specific monitoring procedures to certain environmental and socio-economic issues.

3. Consider any particular elements in the Application that are of greater concern and evaluate the need for a more in-depth monitoring program for those elements.

Guidance

The CER recognizes three categories of verification conducted by the applicant. These apply both during and upon completion of construction through the life of the facility:

Inspections to confirm both implementation of commitments made during the application process and fulfillment of CER-approval conditions to promote safety, security and environmental protection;
Monitoring to confirm if mitigation objectives for a specific project, program, or the continued operation of the project have been met; and
Identify and address any potential short term and long-term issues or effects experienced, but not predicted.

A more rigorous type of monitoring program to confirm the effectiveness of an element-specific program may be appropriate when:

the project or activity is contributing to regional issues of concern;
the project involves new or unproven technology or is not routine in nature;
the project involves uncertain effects;
the project involves new or unproven mitigation measures whose effectiveness is uncertain;
a familiar or routine project is proposed in a new or unfamiliar environmental and socio-economic setting;
there is some uncertainty about the conclusions of the ESA.

A condition on the project certificate or order may be imposed to require the applicant to file post-construction monitoring reports after the completion of construction. The time period for required reporting can vary, but typically ranges from one to five years following the commencement of project operations. Projects requiring a longer period of time to reach reclamation goals (e.g., work in areas difficult to revegetate, such as native prairie) or requiring an in-depth, element-specific program may be required to submit monitoring reports of greater scientific rigour or over a longer time period.

For IA Act designated physical activities, follow-up on identified elements or issues of concern to:
- verify the accuracy of the impact assessment; and
- determine the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate the adverse effects of the project.

Follow-up would generally be an in-depth, scientifically rigorous program.

Revisions to Applicant Plans and Programs

The CER encourages applicants to use its current and relevant plans and programs to support the inspection, monitoring and follow-up components of its application. If these plans or programs have been previously filed with the CER, provide the document title, version number, latest revision date, date of filing and the CER file number. Refer to section 1.5 for more information regarding these documents. If a project is approved, applicants must file any updates required to incorporate the approved project.

Economic and financial information is advised in an application when the applied-for facilities would result in one or more of the following:

the construction of a new transmission line; or
an increase in the capacity of an existing CER regulated transmission line.

FYI – Reminder...

Filing Requirements for an effects assessment are described in sections 6.5 and section 6.6.

Table 6-1 in Subsection 6-4 provides examples of the circumstances and interactions that lead to the need for detailed information and considers all phases of an applied for project (construction, operation, maintenance and abandonment), including the potential for accidents and malfunctions during each phase.

Table 6-2 was designed to assist applicants in identifying the required information specific to individual biophysical elements.The elements and circumstances described in the tables are not exhaustive.

Applicants must adapt the framework below to logically present the detail and analysis of their particular projects. Where project effects may overlap different element categories, it may be appropriate to define a more suitable or specific element or valued component. For example, where there is a risk of soil contamination reaching groundwater, then “groundwater contamination” might be an appropriate element to assess. This could more accurately focus on the issue of concern, avoid repeating information under both soils and water categories, and provide a more focused assessment.

Table 6-2: Filing Requirements for Biophysical Elements

Table 6-2:
Filing Requirements for Biophysical Elements
Physical and Meteorological Environment
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe the general topography of the project area and any particular physical features crossed by the project or which may affect the project. 2. Identify any areas of ground instability. 3. Identify areas of potential wind or water erosion. 4. Describe the local and regional climate. Also identify the potential for extreme weather events such as wind, precipitation, and temperature extremes. 5. Identify any areas with potential for acid-generating rock and describe the effects if exposed as a result of the project. 6. Identify and describe any areas with permafrost conditions. 7. Describe how local or regional physical and meteorological conditions could affect the project including how changing conditions may affect the project over the lifetime of the project.	This section provides information on factors or elements of importance that may affect project design. Give special consideration to the following components which may be either directly or indirectly affected by the project or which may impact project design: unstable slopes or other unfavourable geotechnical conditions including areas with the potential for landslides, mudflows, slumping, subsidence. seismicity; flooding, migrating watercourses and eroding banks; extreme weather events; seasonal and peak flow regime at stream crossings; river ice processes and potential ice jams; permafrost; and areas with acid rock. Local and regional climate should be described in terms of the range of its variability and the severity (i.e., frequency and durations of maximums and minimums) as well as its averages. In regions with potential for extreme weather events, describe and assess these events terms of: their frequency and intensity; the maximum expected loading (ice or wind) on the proposed facility; and extreme heat and any resulting conductor sag should also be considered. Describe how any applicable design standards reduce the potential threat (also see the Filing Requirements contained in section 4.2.1 Engineering Design Details. Meteorological impacts must be considered in the context of: climate variability and trends (including changes in extreme weather events); winter ground conditions; and areas where warming trends may influence hydrologic conditions such as runoff. In areas where permafrost regimes exist: identify and quantify permafrost conditions, including: discontinuous permafrost; high ice content soils; thaw sensitive slopes; and riparian areas; develop baselines for: near-surface ground temperatures; active-layer conditions; slope stability; and movement potential on the approaches to river crossings. describe how any changes in the permafrost regime may affect the project over its lifetime.
Soil and Soil Productivity
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe general soil characteristics and the current level of disturbance associated with soils. 2. For agricultural lands or forested lands with agricultural capability, describe: the soil classification, including the order, group, family, series and type of soil prior to construction and quantify the soil classification; the productivity of land and the type of agricultural resource; the soil types in the study area that are highly susceptible to: wind and water erosion; soil compaction; and loss of structure and tilth; any other soil types needing specific management or mitigation measures; and soil conservation and protection measures. 3. Describe any contaminants of concern potentially associated with the project that may affect soil. 4. Describe the historical land use to determine the potential for contamination of soils or sediments. Describe any known or suspected soil contamination within the study area that could be re-suspended, released or otherwise disturbed as a result of the project. 5. If sediments or soils are contaminated, describe the applicable regulatory standards and all remediation, mitigation and monitoring measures that will be undertaken. 6. Describe the criteria for evaluating reclamation success. Explain how this evaluation would be undertaken and documented. Reclamation measures could include, where applicable: erosion control, other than re-vegetation; soil reclamation; drainage tile repair; soil compaction alleviation; and soil salinity reduction. 7. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	Soil profile descriptions for dominant soil types must consider: soil horizons; thickness of horizons; texture; colour; chemical properties; and organic content. The soils assessment and mitigative plan must consider: soil salvage techniques (e.g., soil stripping including proposed width, grubbing, and alternative soil handling techniques); soil separation maintenance measures; erosion control measures, including drawings of proposed techniques, particularly at watercourse crossings; wind erosion and wet soil shutdown procedures; and soil compaction prevention measures. Where there is a potential for human health effects see Table 6-3. Where soil contamination is suspected or may be present, consider the guidance provided in the Canadian Standards Association’s (CSA) Z768-01 and Z769-00 standards for Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments. In addition, the CER’s Remediation Process Guide (2020) may also be of value. Additional guidance: The Canadian Soil Information Service (under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) provides access to soils information, including the Canadian System of Soil Classification, which describes current accepted standards for soil classification in Canada. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines (including Soil Quality).
Vegetation
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. For lands where vegetation may affect or be affected by the project, describe: the pre-project diversity, relative abundance and distribution of vegetation species and communities of ecological, economic or human importance (e.g., traditional use, tame pasture, native prairie, wetland or old growth), prior to construction; the conservation status applicable to any particular species or communities; the current level of disturbance associated with vegetation; and the amount, merchantability and location of any merchantable timber to be removed during project construction. 2. Describe any weed infestations and other invasive and introduced species of concern. 3. Describe re-vegetation procedures to be implemented as part of the project including: re-vegetation techniques and the locations where they would be implemented; seed mixes to be used, their application rates, and the locations for their application, or the criteria for determining these specifications, and a discussion of the use of seed certificates; any fertilizers to be used, their application rates and locations, or the criteria for determining these specifications; and contingency planting and seeding plans that include a description of any species of vegetation to be replanted, the locations for replanting, or the criteria for determining these specifications. 4. Describe the condition(s) to which the RoW and temporary work space will be reclaimed and maintained once construction has been completed. Explain the extent to which the RoW needs to be kept cleared or could be left to grow and provide the criteria relied on to determine this. 5. Describe the vegetation standards and control to be implemented while constructing and operating the project. Describe any integrated vegetation management program including: the criteria and circumstances for applying chemical, biological or mechanical control methods; the selection of plant species to be kept and planted to promote naturally low growing plant communities; and the use of herbicides, tree growth regulators or other chemicals, their application rates and protocols. 6. Describe criteria for evaluating reclamation success related to vegetation and how this evaluation would be undertaken and documented. 7. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	The description of vegetated lands does not include industrial lands. Vegetation community must apply the most relevant and up to date ecological classification or mapping system. Reference any available provincial or territorial inventory and mapping standards and guidelines. Engagement with potentially affected Indigenous Nations may provide further information. Conservation status (provincial and COSEWIC) of ecological communities as well as plant species must be noted. Explain how communities in the study area were delineated (i.e., existing mapping, remote sensing interpretation, or field mapping). Indicate the date of spatial data collection. Provide justification if field work was not carried out. The effects analysis on vegetation must consider: change in vegetation cover caused by the project; alternatives to clearing the entire ROW (include options and decision criteria for retaining vegetation in order to break lines of sight, control access, maintain wildlife corridors, maintain habitat connectivity, reduce fragmentation and reducing overall cumulative effects); weed control measures (e.g., prevention, treatment); avoidance of any sensitive or rare communities and important individuals (e.g., vegetation important to wildlife); and seed mixes and replanting for re-vegetation purposes. Native and indigenous species adapted to local conditions should be used when the goal of revegetation is to naturalize or regenerate the area. Vegetation management standards should consider: maximum conductor sag; minimum clearance requirements between conductors and the ground and adjacent trees; terrain and built features; and the wire area directly under the conductors, the adjacent border area within the RoW and vegetation adjacent to the RoW. Vegetation control programs, including the frequency of work, monitoring and inspection of RoW vegetation conditions, and control procedures, must consider: the nature of the vegetation cover (e.g., species mix, characteristics) occurring along the RoW, and variations over different biogeographical areas; the promotion or inhibition of different plant communities (naturally low or slow growing plant species versus predominantly tall or fast growing species); and the application of other integrated vegetation management practices. If herbicides or other chemicals may be used, consider: the criteria for their use; the concentrations, rates and methods of application; their specificity and potential adverse environmental effects; and referring to material safety data sheets.
Water Quality and Quantity
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Provide a project-specific water use assessment identifying and describing the water resources and the quality of those resources potentially affected by the project, including: any need for water withdrawn from local waterbodies, the purpose, the quantities required, the waterbodies used as a supply source, the flow rate or volume of water available in the waterbody and how and where waste water would be discharged. 2. Describe any interactions between the project and groundwater. Where there is interaction: describe any potential changes in groundwater flows and any subsequent effects from the changes; and identify any wells nearby, providing criteria for the spatial boundary considered, and describe the potential for well water quantity and quality to be affected. 3. Describe any contaminants of concern potentially associated with the project that may affect water quality. 4. Describe mitigation for any potential effects on surface-, ground- or well-water quantity and quality, including the need for any specific pre- and post-construction monitoring. 5. Describe any applicable water management plans. 6. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	The effects analysis regarding quality or quantity of ground or surface water (e.g., lakes, watercourses, riparian areas or man-made water bodies or structures) must consider: withdrawal or discharge needs for the proposed project, and any potential inter-basin transfers that might introduce undesirable biota. Project interactions with groundwater may result from crossing a shallow water table or specific project activities (e.g., blasting). In these cases, consider the spatial extent and depth levels as well as water characteristics (e.g., salinity). Consider and describe whether the project may affect evaporation and transpiration rates and therefore affect surface land use, especially in agricultural areas. If there is potential for contaminants affecting water resources, consider sediment or groundwater sampling for assessment of contaminants. Where there is a potential for human health effects see Table 6-3. Additional guidance: The CCME’s Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines (including Water Quality). Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
Fish and Fish Habitat
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Identify fish species and their life stages in the study area, as well as their contribution to local fisheries or to ecological importance. 2. Describe the seasonal ranges, seasonal sensitive periods, habitat use, movements, and general population status of fish species identified above. 3. Identify any fisheries avoidance measures, mitigation, or other measures to protect and enhance fish and fish habitat, including protected areas in and near the study area. 4. Identify the need for an authorization under subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act. 5. Describe, in detail, sensitive areas and sensitive habitats, including wetlands and riparian habitat. 6. Where fish-bearing watercourses would not be crossed by trenchless methods, either describe and justify the watercourse-crossing techniques to be used or the criteria for determining the techniques proposed for each watercourse crossing. 7. Describe the timing of any instream work, including restricted activity periods and windows. 8. Describe the condition(s) to which the water crossings and riparian zones would be reclaimed and maintained once construction has been completed. 9. Describe criteria for evaluating success of reclamation of fish-bearing water bodies and their banks as well as riparian areas. Describe how and when this evaluation would be undertaken and documented. 10. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	Applicants should work with the relevant fisheries authorities to identify issues and appropriate mitigative measures and, where appropriate, Indigenous Nations. Where an authorization for serious harm to fish is required from DFO, outline any appropriate offsetting and monitoring. Where effects on fish and fish habitat may affect human health effects, see Table 6-3. DFO has several guidance documents and information pieces that could be useful in dealing with fish and fish habitat. Please refer to the DFO National website for applicable materials and guidance.
Wetlands
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Quantify delineate and describe wetlands in the context of: wetland class, ecological community type and conservation status; abundance at local, regional and provincial scales; distribution; and current level of disturbance. 2. Identify and describe wetland capacities to perform hydrological, water quality, habitat, or other ecological functions. 3. Identify a regional study area of sufficient size to capture effects on wetlands within the larger drainage area. Include wetlands located outside of the local study area that may be affected by hydrological changes as a result of cumulative effects. 4. Detail the efforts to be taken to avoid impacting wetlands, mitigation, monitoring and any applicable compensation measures, for potentially affected wetlands. 5. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	Wetlands include bogs, fens, marshes, swamps and shallow waters as defined in the Canadian Wetland Classification System (National Wetlands Working Group, 1997). The effects analysis regarding wetlands must consider any potential loss of wetland function. A higher level of assessment may be required for provincially or territorially significant wetlands for wetlands of significance to Indigenous Nations or for features of significance. Discuss any applicable provincial or territorial classification schemes, and protection policies and requirements. Applicants should consult with Environment and Climate Change Canada regarding mitigation for wetlands. Additional guidance: Useful information sources accessible from Environment and Climate Change Canada include: The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation; The Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation Implementation Guide; Wetland Ecological Functional Assessment: An Overview of Approaches; and Wetlands Environmental Assessment Guideline.
Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Identify wildlife species of ecological, economic or human importance in the study area. Also describe the: diversity, distribution and location; abundance and population status; life cycle; seasonal ranges (e.g., migration); habitat requirements; movements (e.g., wildlife corridors); and sensitive periods (e.g., seasonal, diurnal and nocturnal). 2. With respect to birds in the area, describe: the species’ vulnerability to collisions with overhead conductors; any monitoring of bird strikes with existing nearby powerlines and the findings from this; the findings from studies on the effectiveness of diverters or other proposed mitigations for the particular birds of relevance; the design with respect to the risk of electrocution of birds; any proposed mitigation and monitoring, and the rationale for these; and any comments received from the Canadian Wildlife Service and any local birding group. 3. For the wildlife identified, describe and quantify the habitat type including its: function; location; suitability; structure; diversity; relative use; and abundance as it exists prior to project construction. 4. Describe any lands in the study area that might constitute sensitive areas and habitat for wildlife, or nearby environmentally-significant areas such as National Parks, areas of natural or scientific interest, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries or other important bird areas or sanctuaries, National Wildlife Areas, or World Biosphere Reserves. 5. Identify wildlife management areas and established or proposed sanctuaries or other areas in or near the study area. 6. Describe the levels of disturbance currently affecting wildlife and habitat, such as habitat fragmentation and the extent of human access and use. 7. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate. 8. Further, with respect to cumulative effects: describe the cumulative disturbance footprint of proposed and future physical facilities and activities within known key habitats (e.g., migration corridors, denning or calving areas, feeding areas) and distribution of that footprint, quantitatively where possible. Describe the effects on the connectivity of key habitats. describe the cumulative effects on wildlife that could occur as a result of the timing of the proposed project in combination with other physical facilities or activities. describe how cumulative changes in access would affect wildlife mortality risk or habitat quantity and quality. compare the cumulative effect on each species assessed to any available species-specific thresholds or policies, and indicate to what degree a threshold is approached or exceeded.	The identification and description of wildlife presence in the area must include, but not be limited to, resident, temporary (e.g., migratory) unique species or populations, and umbrella and keystone species. Mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates may be relevant. The identification and description of wildlife of human importance must also consider consumptive (e.g., hunting, harvesting) and non-consumptive (e.g., bird-watching) values, as well as species of importance to potentially affected Indigenous Nations. The identification, description and quantification of habitat must include, but not be limited to: breeding or rutting grounds, nesting and denning sites; wintering grounds; hibernation or hibernaculum sites; moulting, migration and staging areas; movement corridors; mineral licks; and trees important to wildlife (e.g., bat trees). Other sensitive areas and habitats include: wetlands (and associated upland habitats); riparian habitat; forest interior habitat; old growth ; and grassland / native prairie. The effects analysis regarding wildlife and wildlife habitat must consider factors such as: ecosystem functions; the timing of construction activities in relation to sensitive periods for wildlife (e.g., migratory bird breeding season); varying degrees of wildlife habitat loss; changes in habitat quality (e.g., fragmentation, edge effects); changes in human access; disturbance to wildlife, including sensory (light and noise) disturbance from operation of above-ground facilities, including on birds and nocturnal species; and, direct and indirect wildlife mortality. Ensure spatial boundaries for the study area and assessment are specific to the valued component and ecologically defensible (e.g., winter range boundaries, migration routes, fawning and calving areas). When calculating the disturbance footprint or linear disturbance density, remember to include the total avoidance area experienced by the valued component, which may be considerably larger than the physical footprint itself depending on the valued component. Temporal considerations are also relevant. For example, effects on wildlife from noise and sensory disturbance, water usage or divergence, or waste stream emissions to air, land or water can be exacerbated by having a number of projects taking place simultaneously (or continuously over more than one season) in a watershed, breeding area or migratory pathway. Increased access to project areas, whether temporary or permanent, affects wildlife habitat, populations, distribution and interactions. Access may include not only human access but increased ease of access by predators or competing species. Examples of tools that may be used to assess cumulative effects on valued components include scenario-based models, spatial analysis using a geographic information system, and landscape level indicators of change (e.g., linear density) (see the CEA Agency’s Cumulative Effects Assessment Practitioners Guide, 1999). Applicants should note the requirements of applicable provincial, territorial and federal regulations (e.g., the federal Migratory Birds Regulations). Additional guidance: Environment and Climate Change Canada and its Divisions (e.g., Canadian Wildlife Service) are sources of relevant information on: wildlife and wildlife habitat; Acts and Regulations, including the Migratory Birds Convention Act; locations of National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries; and environmental assessment guides, including: Environmental Assessment Best Practice Guide for Wildlife at Risk in Canada; and relevant Canadian Wildlife Service Technical Report Series publications. The Important Bird Areas database may be accessed through Bird Studies Canada or Nature Canada.
Species at Risk or Species of Special Status
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. For effects related to wildlife, fish and plant species at risk or species of special status: identify the species and their status; provide the appropriate references to the SARA Schedules, or Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), provincial or territorial listing; identify their habitat(s), including any critical habitat(s) identified in a Recovery Strategy or an Action Plan listed on the SARA public registry; determine whether the species, its critical habitat, or the residences of those species could be affected by project activities; if no, explain why not; if yes, describe any potential effects; identify any critical timing windows (e.g., denning, rutting or spawning) setback distances, or restrictions; identify if a provincial, territorial or federal (e.g., SARA) permit will be required; and identify any proposed mitigative measures (e.g., improved project design or construction timing or comprehensive plan). 2. Where the project may result in the destruction of any part of the critical habitat of a wildlife species listed on Schedule 1 of SARA, describe: any discussions with the appropriate Federal Authority (Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada) on obtaining a permit under section 73 of the SARA; all reasonable alternatives to the project that would avoid the effect on the species’ critical habitat; and all feasible measures that will be taken to minimize the effect of the work or activity on the species’ critical habitat. 3. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical works or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	Many rare species (e.g., endangered or threatened species under the SARA) are at risk in large part as a result of the past cumulative effects on their population or habitat. Their inclusion on official lists reflects their status as having crossed a threshold requiring special actions for their protection and recovery. Any additional residual effects have the potential to further contribute to this existing situation. Consequently, proposed projects must preferably avoid, or fully mitigate or compensate for any residual project contribution to cumulative effects. Status refers to designation under federal, provincial or territorial legislation or guidelines (e.g., extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern). Consult the SARA public registry for Schedule 1, the List of Wildlife Species at Risk, and Schedules 2 and 3. Consult with Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, or Parks Canada on Species at Risk or their critical habitat in the study area. Where critical habitat has not been defined, field studies may be necessary, as well as identifying, with federal, provincial or territorial authorities, mitigation measures that effectively avoid sensitive interaction periods or activities. Field surveys may be useful in identifying mitigation needs or locally common populations not substantially affected. For species at risk listed on Schedule 1 of SARA, the proposed mitigative measures must be consistent with any applicable Recovery Strategies and Action Plans listed on the SARA public registry. Consult with appropriate provincial or territorial authorities on species listed under those jurisdictions. For species at risk with no recovery strategy or action plan, applicants should use the best available information, such as COSEWIC status reports, draft recovery strategies or action plans, existing plans or input from the recovery team and specific advice (or management plans) from any jurisdiction that manages the species. Describe how measures to avoid, fully mitigate or compensate project effects would align with the best available information. When relying on compensation plans, describe the details of consultation with relevant experts, the options available, and criteria for selecting the options relied on, and for assessing the adequacy (sufficiency and validity) of any compensation measures or offsets. Applicants should conduct a thorough inventory of all areas potentially affected by the project that are expected to support any species at risk or species of special status. Consult federal, provincial, territorial, regional and local databases (e.g., conservation data centres) and any other information associated with species of special status. Species data in existing databases may not be systematically collected or updated and, therefore, a database search may not be sufficient to support a conclusion about the absence of a species in the area. Additional guidance, including direction to relevant federal, provincial, territorial and other related information, is available from the COSEWIC and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Air Quality
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. For effects, or public concerns, associated with dust or emissions from construction activities: provide an overview of concern; and provide a qualitative assessment.	Where there is a potential for effects on aesthetics or human health see Table 6-3.
GHG Emissions and Climate Change
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Direct emissions – for project construction and for project operations (including maintenance): describe the sources of GHG emissions; provide a quantitative estimate of total GHG emissions and net GHG emissions^{Table Note a}; identify and explain which climate change laws, regulations and policies apply to the GHG emissions and to what extent; provide a comparison of the project’s predicted GHG emissions to total national sector-based GHG emissions, total provincial GHG emissions, and to Canada’s GHG reduction targets; and describe the mitigation measures to be implemented for GHG emissions reduction and for continuous improvement of GHG emissions management. 2. Credible plan to achieve net zero – for projects with a lifetime beyond 2050, applications must include a credible plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (hereafter referred to as “net-zero plan”). 3. Climate change resilience – provide an assessment of the resilience of the project to climate change impacts. 4. Impact of the project on Canada’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions – discuss how the project may hinder or contribute to Canada’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions.	The guidance around GHG Emissions and Climate Change considers the principles and objectives of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Strategic Assessment of Climate Change. As noted in section 6-4, the level of detail and analysis should be commensurate with the nature of the project and the potential for effects. A scalable approach, as provided in Figures 6-2 to 6-5, should inform the level of information an applicant may file. Refer to section 6.9 for further guidance around whether a project's effects could hinder or contribute to the Government of Canada's ability to meet climate change commitments. Quantification of direct and acquired GHG emissions The GHG emissions assessment should, as appropriate: include point and area sources; include other sources, including emissions from changes in land use and burning of vegetation during land clearing; include a description and justification of the methods (including emission factors used) and assumptions used in the estimation; and clarify the approach to determine avoided domestic emissions, including what project-specific mitigation and offset measures have been accounted for in the quantitative estimate of GHG emissions, and describe the criteria used for this. In addition, quantitative estimates should, as appropriate: be provided as quantities of individual gases, and in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent for both project GHG emissions and net GHG emissions; for project operations, be provided on an absolute annual basis and in emissions intensity terms; and describe engineering design assumptions to reduce or avoid GHG emissions during operations and maintenance activities. Applicants may consider using appropriate industry-wide estimates for their assessment of GHG emissions, insofar as these are currently up to date. If project operations depend on electrical or other energy requirements (e.g., to supply power for facility stations) that must be acquired from a third party or other corporate entity, these must be included in the project’s GHG emissions assessment. For guidance on avoided emissions and offset measures, see ECCC’s Draft technical guide related to the strategic assessment of climate change: Guidance on quantification of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, impact on carbon sinks, mitigation measures, net-zero plan and upstream GHG assessment. Mitigation measures (including offset measures) and net-zero plan Discussion of mitigation measures, including the use of best available technologies/best environmental practices, should include the alternative means considered to reduce GHG emissions and justification for why the preferred option was chosen, such as technical and economic feasibility. Offset measures (such as carbon dioxide captured and stored, corporate-level initiatives, and use of offset credits) should generally be considered a last resort when reasonable efforts at avoiding and mitigating the GHG emissions have been exhausted. The appropriateness and potential of offsets for residual emissions, including timing and implementation of these offsets, should be explained. Further mitigation can also be included in the net-zero plan. All projects will be assumed to have lifetimes beyond 2050, unless otherwise demonstrated. A net-zero plan should be based on the principles outlined in the SACC and related Technical Guides. The plan should include: actions that will be taken to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, including an implementation schedule for the actions (such as a timeline for technology upgrades or replacements); a description of the approach to determining avoided emissions and using offset credits; any additional project-specific mitigation and offset measures that will be implemented for the project to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050; a description of the process that will be followed in order to make the decisions and investments needed; supporting information and/or assumptions for each action or measure, including a discussion of factors such as associated costs, potential impacts on tolls, technical challenges, risks, infrastructure requirements, and any other relevant considerations; and periodic project milestones that demonstrate GHG reductions towards net-zero. The periodic milestones should incorporate assumptions and emissions intensities and account for evolving regulatory measures and policies. Consistent with the requirements contained in Chapter 5 of this manual around engagement, applicants should engage with potentially affected Indigenous Peoples on the GHG mitigation and net-zero plans. Climate resilience The GHG emissions assessment should undertake an assessment of the resilience of the project to climate change impacts. This assessment should, as appropriate, include: methods used to identify, evaluate and manage the climate risks that could affect the project itself and the surrounding environment; and the project’s vulnerabilities to climate change, for example impacts of extreme weather events on project infrastructure, on water quality and availability, etc. See Table 6-2 Physical and Meteorological Environment for further requirements and guidance. Impact of the project on Canada’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions The discussion of laws, regulations, and policies should cover those at relevant regional, provincial, federal, and international levels. Examples might include targets, carbon pricing, mandatory reductions or offsets, and reporting programs. In assessing the extent of emissions, consider relevant national sector-based totals as well as provincial emissions for comparison. Regional airshed-based studies may also be applicable. Discuss how the project’s predicted GHG emissions impact Canada’s GHG reduction targets. Reference documents The GHG emissions assessment should consider relevant estimating, reporting, and other applicable technical guidance, such as: ECCC’s Strategic Assessment of Climate Changeand related Technical Guides (as released and updated) ECCC’s Reporting greenhouse gas emissions Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act ECCC’s sector-specific tools to calculate emissions Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s Policy Context: Considering Environmental Obligations and Commitments in Respect of Climate Change under the Impact Assessment Act The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development) International Standards Organization standards: ISO-14064:1 ISO-14064:2
GHG Emissions and Climate Change – Assessment of Upstream GHG Emissions Projects
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Upstream GHG emissions Applicants should indicate if the upstream emissions associated with the project are likely to be above or below the applicable threshold presented in section 3.2 of ECCC’s Strategic Assessment of Climate Change. If above the identified threshold, provide an assessment of upstream GHG emissions based on currently available ECCC guidance.	In accordance with the SACC guidance, the assessment of upstream GHG emissions should describe the methodology, data, and assumptions used and explain how the assessment is consistent with the supply forecast and analysis of the need for the project. The net-zero plan does not apply to upstream GHG emissions, even if an upstream GHG emissions assessment is conducted. Further guidance and practice for upstream GHG emissions estimation can be found in ECCC’s Strategic Assessment of Climate Change and related Technical Guides (as released and updated).
Acoustic Environment
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Where there is a public concern associated with an increase in noise levels during construction, provide a noise impact assessment, including an overview of the concerns. 2. For projects that result or may result in an increase in noise emissions during operations or maintenance: describe existing ambient noise levels in the area, including the methods and data sources used to determine the ambient levels; identify the potentially affected receptors and permissible sound levels for each receptor; quantify noise levels at appropriate distances from the facility (e.g., at edges of RoW/facility and at the affected receptors) and describe the frequency, duration and character of noise; provide the predicted sound levels from the project alone and predicted cumulative sound levels in combination with other existing and future physical facilities and activities in the area, including an assessment of low frequency noise; describe engagement with regulators, stakeholders, community groups, landowners and Indigenous Nations about potential effects of the project on the acoustic environment; identify and justify the applicable guidelines used to determine the significance of the effects of the predicted emissions associated with the project; provide a noise management plan, including identification of noise sources, an assessment of current noise mitigation measures, performance effectiveness of noise control devices, best practices programs and continuous improvement programs; and identify the need for a follow-up monitoring for the purposes of validation of the model or as a result of any concerns raised by the public. 3. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	The effects assessment must consider: any effects from inaudible noise (e.g., low frequency noise); and the effects of noise on wildlife. Noise management plans must consider: notification of nearby residences and local authorities of plans and procedures for preventing and managing noise. Where there is a potential for human health effects see Table 6-3. Additional guidance: AER’s Directive 038: Noise Control Alberta Utilities Commission’s Rule 012 – Noise Control (AUC Rule 012) BC Energy Regulator’s British Columbia Noise Control Best Practices Guideline For projects in provinces with no guidelines, please refer to AER Directive 038 or AUC Rule 012, whichever is the most appropriate.
Electromagnetism and Corona Discharge
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. For operating voltages above 240 kV, describe: the levels of noise, ozone concentration, electric field gradient and magnetic field strength expected at the edge of the right-of-way at maximum loading of the international power line, the predicted electromagnetic field levels; and any relevant standards. 2. Identify the potential for any electromagnetic interference with radio and television signals and reception, under fair and foul weather conditions at maximum load. Describe the area potentially affected, the frequency and duration of occurrence, and any applicable standards. 3. Describe potential induction effects on other infrastructure operators. Where this could affect existing operations describe any authorizations required and engagement with potentially affected infrastructure operators and how any concerns raised will be addressed.	Where there is a potential for human health effects see Table 6-3. Describe noise associated with corona discharge from power lines during periods of foul weather, describe: the frequency of foul weather periods and how these are defined; and predicted audible noise levels for both fair and foul weather periods, at appropriate distances from the facility (e.g., at edges of RoW and at nearest or most affected receptors). With respect to electromagnetic field levels, describe quantitatively: ambient conditions; distances to edge of RoW, nearest residences, schools and other public institutions; modeling and prediction of environmental conditions during construction and operations at the above distances; and distance to where predicted conditions would meet any applicable standards, and populations within that radius.
Environmental Obligations
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Provide a listing of Government of Canada environmental obligations that may potentially be relevant to the project. 2. Provide an appropriate summary or concordance table summarizing where in the application each of the Government of Canada environmental obligations identified and listed have been considered. 3. Where the environmental obligations are addressed in the application, this must be part of an appropriate assessment of potential effects and applicable mitigation. The assessment should include discussion of how the project may hinder or contribute to Canada’s efforts to meet any relevant environmental obligations.	As noted in section 6-4 Level of Detail, the depth of analysis should be commensurate with the nature of the project and the potential for effects. As noted in both the existing Filing Manual guidance on Engagement (section 3.4.2) and in the CER Early Engagement Guide, applicants should also consult with appropriate federal government agencies for assistance in identifying federal environmental obligations relevant to the project. Canada’s environmental obligations may cover a range of environmental issues and refer to the obligations of Canada in domestic and international law in relation to the protection of the natural environment. Environmental obligations are set out in domestic instruments such as federal legislation and regulations, with which compliance is a requirement. In addition to obligations implemented in Canadian law and regulation, other domestic instruments developed to implement federal environmental obligations may include policy documents, plans, frameworks, and targets or quantitative goals. Legal requirements, policy direction, plans, frameworks, and targets or quantitative goals will often be specific to a particular environmental issue and should inherently be covered in an applicant’s environmental and socio-economic assessment. In the applicant’s assessment of potential effects on any particular valued component, applicants should relate this to any relevant requirements or standards being met. From this, applicants should also identify any related Canadian environmental obligations. The listing of environmental obligations may be organized by biophysical element or valued environmental component, or be organized by any other alternative method of categorization that is systematic in approach. Consider also including the associated domestic instruments. Project routing, design features and proposed mitigation measures may limit or reduce the extent to which a project hinders Canada’s ability to meet its environmental obligations. In some instances they may also result in contributing to meeting those obligations. Example – the Federal Wetland Policy would typically be referenced and inform an applicant’s environmental assessment of wetlands. In addition to the policy being considered in the assessment of project impacts on wetlands, it should also be cited in the listing of Government of Canada environmental obligations and the assessment should be referenced.
Table Note Table Note a Net GHG emissions = Direct GHG emissions + Acquired energy GHG emissions – Avoided domestic GHG emissions – Offset measures (see section 3 of SACC). Return to table note a referrer

Figure 6-2: Scalable approach to climate change factor assessment

Figure 6-2: Scalable approach to climate change factor assessment

Description

Flowchart illustrating options for climate change assessments filed under section 262 of the CER Act, per text in Table 6-2

Figure 6-3: Scalable approach – construction GHG emissions

Figure 6-3: Scalable approach – construction GHG emissions

Description

Flowchart illustrating filing requirements and guidance for construction GHG emissions, per text in Table 6-2

Figure 6-4: Scalable approach – operational GHG emissions

Figure 6-4: Scalable approach – operational GHG emissions

Description

Flowchart illustrating filing requirements and guidance for operational GHG emissions, per text in Table 6-2

Figure 6-5: Scalable approach – upstream GHG emissions

Figure 6-5: Scalable approach – upstream GHG emissions

Description

Flowchart illustrating filing requirements and guidance for upstream GHG emissions, per text in 6-2

6.9 Supplemental guidance on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change

The GHG emissions and Climate Change factor is one of several factors that the Commission considers when making certain public interest decisions or recommendations for proposed projects. The information provided in an application and related submissions addressing the GHG emissions and climate change factor will support the Commission in determining the extent to which the effects of the project may hinder or contribute to Canada’s climate change commitments.

The following sections provide additional context for applicants on GHG emissions and climate change assessments in relation to CER-regulated projects. This guidance is intended to be considered along with other filing requirements and guidance in Chapter 6 of this manual.

Considerations for assessing the effects of a project on Government of Canada’s climate change commitments

Key elements that the Commission may consider on a project’s potential hindrance or contribution to Canada’s climate change commitments include:

Magnitude of GHG emissions;
Mitigation measures for GHG emissions;
Applicability of relevant laws, regulations and policies;
Net-zero plan;
Impact of the project on Canada’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions;
Climate change resilience; and
Upstream emissions.

The following sections expand on each element above. Guiding questions for each element are also provided.

1. Magnitude of GHG emissions

In assessing the magnitude of emissions, the Commission considers the sources of direct GHG emissions that would be expected throughout the entire lifecycle of a project. The potential GHG emission sources for a proposed project or activity will vary, depending on the type of facility and planned activities.

GHG emissions associated with project construction generally stem from sources such as operation of construction equipment, land-use change (e.g., clearing), and biomass burning. These sources illustrate some examples and could include other sources as well. Emissions from construction equipment are dependent on variables such as terrain complexity and season.

GHG emissions associated with project operation for power lines are project-dependent but are generally very small arising from vehicle or equipment emissions from maintenance and inspection activities.

As explained in Table 6-2 of this manual, applicants are expected to provide the methods and assumptions used to quantify project-related GHG emissions. Applicants are expected to use recent scientifically recognized emissions estimate equations and emission factors. Applicants are also encouraged to use the most current annually released ECCC’s National Inventory Report’s emission factors when calculating estimated vehicle and equipment emissions.

Applicants should provide a comparison of the project’s predicted GHG emission intensity to the emissions intensity of projects similar in nature, scope, and scale. Applicants should also provide a comparison of the project’s magnitude of predicted project emissions with national sector-based GHG emissions, provincial GHG emissions, as well as to Canada’s GHG reduction targets (discussed below).

Magnitude of GHG emissions: Guiding Questions that the Commission may consider in its assessment

Is the project likely to generate high, medium, or low volumes of GHG emissions during any phase of the project when compared to similar projects in nature, scope, and scale?
How does the GHG emissions intensity for the proposed facility compare to projects similar in nature, scope, and scale?
Are the methods, data sources, rationale for the chosen method, and assumptions to estimate the project emissions appropriate?
How does the project’s predicted emissions compare to national sector-based GHG emissions, total provincial GHG emissions, and to Canada’s GHG reduction targets?

2. Mitigation measures for GHG emissions

Applicants are expected to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the various mitigation measures and best available technologies and environmental practices to minimize GHG emissions in each phase of the lifecycle, from clearing through to abandonment. Considering potential mitigation measures early in the design and planning phase offers opportunities to identify and plan GHG reductions. For example, in a project application, an applicant may propose situating a project in a location that requires less biomass removal.

Efforts to mitigate GHG emissions continue to evolve and improve. As such, applicants are encouraged to include a discussion of alternative measures or means that were considered and the rationale for selecting or eliminating certain measures.

Where GHG emissions cannot be avoided or reduced, the additional measures above and beyond standard mitigation (i.e., offset measures) to further reduce GHG emissions may be considered.

Section 5.1.4 of the SACC outlines information requirements for mitigation measures. Section 3 of the Draft technical guide related to the strategic assessment of climate change: Guidance on quantification of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, impact on carbon sinks, mitigation measures, net-zero plan and upstream GHG assessment provides further details on principles and on how applicants can follow the best available technologies/best environmental practices determination process to mitigate the project’s GHG emissions.

Mitigation Measures: Guiding Questions that the Commission may consider in its assessment

How were GHG emissions considered in the project design?
What mitigation measures are proposed to avoid, reduce or capture GHG emissions from the project and how do these compare to current best practices?
Were innovative approaches proposed for managing emissions over the life of the project?
Are there any additional measures (e.g., offset measures) being implemented for the project?

3. Applicability of relevant climate change laws, regulations, and policies

The Electricity Filing Manual sets out that applicants are expected to provide a list of the federal, provincial, or territorial GHG legislation, regulations, and policies that will apply to the project, and explain any implications for the project.

Given the rapidly evolving space of climate change policy within Canada and internationally, applicants are encouraged to plan for how further changes to laws, regulations, and policies may potentially impact the economic feasibility of a project. Potential risks of changes to the regulatory environment that could require adaptive management by the applicant could include a project’s available supply, market demand, utilization, costs, and financing.

Relevant Climate Change Laws, Regulations, and Policies: Guiding Questions that the Commission may consider in its assessment

How are the applicable provincial or federal carbon pricing requirements (including reporting) being managed for the project?
How have the potential risks associated with future changes to climate change laws, regulations, and policies been quantified and planned for? Are there adaptive management plans in place for these risks?

4. Net-zero plan

Unless clearly articulated in a project application, the Commission assumes that all new project applications will have a lifetime beyond 2050. As such, applicants are expected to provide a net-zero plan for projects beyond 2050. Both the SACC and the Filing Manual specify that applicants may submit either a project-specific or a corporate net-zero plan, depending on the nature, scope, and scale of the project.

The level of detail that the Commission expects in a net-zero plan will depend on the nature of the project. For projects where the primary GHG emission sources are driven by the system of which it is a part (such as maintenance inspections, aerial patrols) or are managed at a corporate level, adherence to a corporate plan for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 may be more appropriate.

Section 5.3 of the SACC and section 3.5 of the ECCC’s Draft technical guide related to the strategic assessment of climate change: Guidance on quantification of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, impact on carbon sinks, mitigation measures, net-zero plan and upstream GHG assessment provides further details on the principles, development, and contents of a net-zero plan. The plan will complement and be informed by the GHG mitigation measures planned by the applicant.

Net-zero plan: Guiding Questions that the Commission may consider in its assessment

What specific actions or measures will be undertaken to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050?
What are the associated costs of implementing each action or measure; potential impacts on tolls, technical challenges, risks, infrastructure requirements, and any other relevant considerations?
Has the applicant committed to providing periodic project milestones that demonstrate progress in GHG reductions towards net zero?
How does the net-zero plan impact the economic feasibility of the project?

5. Impact of the project on Canada’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions

In recent years, there has been a substantial evolution in Canada’s climate policy environment, shaping the future context for Canadian energy supply, demand, trade, and infrastructure. Among these commitments are the Paris Agreement, Canada’s 2030 target, the goal of Canada achieving net-zero emissions by 2050^Footnote 4, and other obligations. Given the magnitude of change required for Canada and the world to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, future policy, market, and technology changes will continue to shape energy in Canada over the next three decades. Examples of key developments include the 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (including the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.)^Footnote 5, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, and Canada's National Adaptation Strategy.

The Commission recognizes that displacing high emission intensity projects with lower emission intensity projects or facilitating GHG removals can contribute to Canada’s climate change commitments.

Impact of the project on Canada’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions: Guiding Question that the Commission may consider in its assessment

Is the project contributing to the Government of Canada’s ability to meet its commitments in respect of climate change by reducing or eliminating GHG emissions or by facilitating GHG removals?

6. Climate change resilience

Applicants are expected to undertake an assessment of the resilience of the project to climate change impacts. The scope and scale of an assessment of a project’s climate related-risks and development of a risk treatment plan should be tailored to the individual project, depending on the potential vulnerabilities and complexity of interactions.

The Draft technical guide related to the strategic assessment of climate change: Assessing Climate Change Resilience sets out an approach to assessing how a project is resilient to, and at risk from, both the current and future impacts of a changing climate.

Climate change resilience: Guiding Questions that the Commission may consider in its assessment

How is the project at risk from climate change impacts?
Has the applicant considered the magnitude and probability of these climate-related risks and identified appropriate risk treatments and adaptive management measures (as necessary) in the project design?

7. Upstream emissions

The Electricity Filing Manual sets out when applicants are required to provide an estimate of upstream emissions – such as those from a generating facility – and the extent to which those emissions would be incremental as a result of the project. The SACC provides guidance on the thresholds for consideration of upstream emissions, and these thresholds are applied in the context of CER-regulated projects. Consideration of upstream emissions will typically include quantitative estimates of emissions, as well as a qualitative discussion about the incrementality of these emissions. The qualitative discussion provides context in which the project will be operating, and whether the estimated upstream emissions would occur with or without the project.

Upstream emission assessments may also be a key element in considering the overall cumulative effects of any proposed project. The Commission expects that the scope of the upstream assessment be consistent with the development assumptions that support a given project (see section 6.7). Further, the Commission expects the assessment to be consistent with the long-term economic, financial, and engineering assumptions made in an application.

Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of the SACC outline information requirements for an upstream GHG emissions and uncertainty assessment. Further guidance on upstream GHG assessment is provided in section 5 of the Draft technical guide related to the strategic assessment of climate change: Guidance on quantification of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, impact on carbon sinks, mitigation measures, net-zero plan and upstream GHG assessment.

Upstream Emissions: Guiding Questions that the Commission may consider in its assessment

Are the project-related upstream emissions above the thresholds outlined in the SACC? If yes, did the applicant undertake a quantitative assessment of upstream GHG emissions associated with the project?
Did the applicant follow the methodology outlined in ECCC’s draft Technical Guides?
Will the project result in incremental upstream GHG emissions? Has the applicant appropriately addressed the impact of cumulative and incremental emissions on Canada’s climate change commitments?
How have the potential risks associated with future changes to climate change laws, regulations, and policies applicable to upstream emissions been quantified and planned for?

Decision making and conditions

The information contained in the application, and any additional information provided through the adjudicative process, will inform the Commission’s assessment of the GHG emissions and climate change factor. The Commission may impose conditions related to this factor. These conditions would vary based on the scope, scale, and nature of projects under review. Conditions may refer to additional mitigation measures and other requirements to avoid or reduce a project’s GHG emissions. Conditions may also include a reporting requirement in which the applicant would be expected to demonstrate progress toward implementing these mitigation measures as well as the plan for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 (for projects with a lifetime beyond 2050).

Table 6-3: Filing Requirements for Socio-economic Elements

GBA+ throughout

Both the adverse effects of the project, as well as project benefits, can impact people in different ways depending on a variety of identity factors, such as sex, gender, age, culture, Indigeneity, and ability. Gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) can help to consider such differences. In the context of assessing the effects of a proposed project, this includes asking questions such as:

What are the relevant identity factors that might determine the extent to which someone is positively or negatively affected by the project?
How are adverse effects and benefits of a project expected to vary according to these relevant identity factors?
Are tailored mitigation measures available to address the expected differences in the impact of adverse effects and distribution of benefits?
Are such measures practical for the project, and can effectiveness be monitored over time

GBA+ should be applied when considering each of the socio-economic elements in the following tables. In addition, where project impacts may have specific or adverse effects on Indigenous women within potentially affected Indigenous Nations, these potential impacts and the measures proposed to mitigate such impacts should be discussed. Note that differing identity factors might be relevant within different elements – for example, the group of people that may be differentially affected by project impacts on resource use might differ from the group of people that may be differentially affected by project impacts on human health or project-related employment. Where any issues relating to the privacy of individuals are raised, or where information is considered confidential or is otherwise unavailable, a rationale for the approach taken should be provided.

Further discussion on GBA+ is available via the Women and Gender Equality Canada federal government website. Specific guidance on the application of GBA+ to impact assessments has been developed by IAAC and should also be consulted.^Footnote 6

Table 6-3:
Filing Requirements for Socio-economic Elements
Human Occupancy and Resource Use
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe the general patterns of human occupancy and resource use in the study area. 2. Describe the potential interactions of the project with local and regional human occupancy and resource development activities. Include effects the project may have on the maintenance of those activities and on the livelihood of local workers, business owners and operators. 3. Describe the goals of any applicable local or regional land use plans or local or regional development plans and the extent with which the project aligned with such plans. 4. Identify predicted impacts of the project on the quality and quantity of ground or surface water used for domestic, commercial, agricultural or recreational uses. 5. Identify any predicted visual or other aesthetic effects of the project on existing land use in the study area. 6. Identify any predicted effects of the project on livestock health and productivity. 7. Describe any site specific and project wide mitigation to address identified effects. 8. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	The assessment of potential impacts on human occupancy and resource use must evaluate: rural and urban residential areas (includes both year-round and seasonally occupied facilities), lands in a reserve within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act, Indigenous Nations and Indigenous traditional territories; agricultural areas (including specialty crops, orchards and vineyards); health and productivity of livestock; agricultural areas (including specialty crops, orchards and vineyards); recreation and park areas (including local and provincial or territorial parks and recognized scenic areas); lands under Parks Canada’s jurisdiction, conservation areas, International Biological Program Sites or other ecological reserves or preserves; industrial and commercial areas; controlled or managed forest areas (including agreement forests and timber sales areas); registered or recognized hunting, trapping or guiding areas and commercial and sport fishing areas; water reserves and licences, and water supply sources or intakes for agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential and municipal users; and transportation infrastructure which, in addition to road and rail infrastructure, would also include navigable waterways. The project should be assessed for compatibility with local and regional land use and development plans. Where “multiple-use” is permitted, it should also be assessed for compatibility with existing uses. If there is a predicted effect on the use of traditional territory or potential or established treaty or Indigenous rights, refer to the Traditional Land and Resource Use element within this table. If there is a predicted effect on a biophysical component (e.g., Water Quality and Quantity, Acoustic Environment,) that could affect Human Occupancy and Resource Use, refer to that biophysical component in Table 6-2. If there is a predicted effect on visual or other aesthetic qualities, refer to the guidance under the Human Health element within this table.
Heritage Resources
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe any known heritage resources in the study area. 2. Determine the potential for any undiscovered heritage resources in the study area. 3. Describe what contingency plans and field measures would be undertaken should a heritage resource be discovered during construction. 4. Provide copies of correspondence from provincial or territorial authorities responsible for heritage resources with comments respecting any heritage resource impact assessment and proposed mitigation measures. 5. Provide a statement indicating whether the company will implement the recommendations of the provincial or territorial heritage resource authorities. 6. If a previous heritage resource assessment has been completed in the study area, a summary should be filed along with any additional mitigation measures specific to the applied-for project.	Applicants must be aware of any federal, provincial or territorial legislation or guidelines for identifying and protecting heritage resources. Applicants must engage with Indigenous Nations with concerns about heritage resources in the project area. Although lands may be previously disturbed, an archaeological and paleontological assessment may still be required. The heritage resources assessment must be completed by a qualified archaeologist or paleontologist and include details of the field methodology used in the study. Where there is potential for discovery of heritage resources during construction or operations activities, a heritage resources contingency plan must be submitted. The plan must state at a minimum, who would be contacted and under what conditions work would stop and resume.
Traditional Land and Resource Use
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe how lands and resources in the study area are currently used by Indigenous persons or communities for traditional purposes. 2. Identify the Indigenous persons or communities currently carrying out traditional land and resource use activities, the spatial and temporal extent of use, and how the project would impact on this use. 3. Describe all reasonable alternatives to the project considered that would avoid the impact on the Indigenous traditional land and resource use considered during project development. 4. Describe all feasible measures that would be taken to mitigate the impact of the activity on Indigenous traditional land and resource use. 5. Describe the methodology used to collect the Indigenous land and resource use information and provide a listing, and the rationale for the listing, of all Indigenous persons and communities contacted. 6. Demonstrate that those Indigenous persons and communities participating in collecting traditional use information have had the opportunity to review the information and proposed mitigation. Include any comments from the Indigenous participants on the information and proposed mitigation. 7. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	An assessment of impacts on current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by Indigenous people is required for the ESA. Indigenous people may use lands for various traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, berry picking, and plant gathering, for medicinal, cultural or household use, as well as cultural or spiritual ceremonies. In assessing the temporal aspects of traditional land and resource use, note the frequency, duration and seasonal aspects of each activity. In assessing the spatial aspects of traditional land and resource use, note that some activities could be site specific (e.g., berry-picking areas) but others may not (e.g., hunting may extend over a broad area and temporal considerations may be more relevant). Applicants must also refer to the assessment of the applicable biophysical element (wildlife and wildlife habitat, vegetation, and fish and fish habitat) when considering traditional land and resource use. Where confidentiality of the traditional land and resource information is a concern, this information may be provided in the following manner: a traditional land use study in which the information is provided using a system of data classification to protect the confidentiality of site-specific details; a traditional land use study including the methodology and proposed mitigation; or alternatively, applicants may ask permission to file the study confidentially, in accordance with the criteria set out in section 60 of the CER Act.
Social and Cultural Well-Being
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe the socio-cultural setting of the study area, indicating the: predominant cultural communities and Indigenous Nations; demographic features of the local population and workforce; and prevalent socio-cultural concerns of residents, families and workers in the study area. 2. Provide an overview of the predicted socio-cultural effects on the local community from the project. 3. Describe the interactions of project construction, operations, and maintenance workforces with the local community, residents and businesses. 4. Describe any mitigative measures to address identified effects. 5. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	Socio-cultural effects on local communities may arise from various sources and may include: an increase in temporary or permanent residents to an area; location of construction camps within, beside or near local communities; a significant increase to, or uneven distribution of, personal income at the community level; and disruptions to cultural traditions and institutions. The potential effects from the sources listed above may include: stresses on community, family and household cohesion; alcohol and substance abuse; or illegal or other potentially disruptive activities. The identification and evaluation of potential effects must: be conducted at the community level rather than the individual level to protect the privacy of individuals; and include engagement with local, regional and Indigenous social and cultural service providers, agencies and institutions as appropriate. The local community could include: more than one inhabited area within the study area; and more than one cultural group within an inhabited area.
Human Health
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe and quantify: the project related activities, toxic components, nuisances and environmental changes that could potentially be sources of adverse human health effects; and the potential human receptors of these effects. 2. Where the project could create air, water or noise emissions or effluent discharge levels that meet local, provincial, territorial or federal guidelines (e.g., CCME Guidelines, AER Directive 038, AUC Rule 012), yet public concerns regarding human health effects have been raised, provide a description of the public concerns and how they would be addressed. 3. Where the project could create health effects, summarize how these effects would be mitigated. 4. Where it is reasonable to assume there could be a potentially high or significant risk to human health from the project, provide a human health risk assessment. 5. Provide a description of any predicted visual or other aesthetic effects of the project on residents or other potentially affected persons or users in the study area. 6. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	Applicants must consider the potential for effects to human health to determine the level of assessment required. For example, where the project may cause nuisance-related health concerns, applicants must summarize the effect, outline mitigation measures to minimize the effect, and give appropriate details of analytical procedures used (e.g., a source and release assessment, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment or risk characterization). Identifying and evaluating potential human health effects must include engagement with local, regional, Indigenous, provincial or territorial, and federal health service providers, agencies and institutions, as appropriate. Applicants must consider the potential effects of the project on the health of susceptible groups such as: local residents, landowners and tenants; the elderly and children; and others who may regularly use the study area such as recreationalists, hunters and trappers. Applicants must also consider how the project may impact the health of those using traditional areas for hunting, trapping, fishing, berry picking, and medicinal plant collection. This consideration must be linked with the applicant’s assessment of traditional land and resource use. As the definition of human health includes consideration of mental and social well-being, applicants must also consider any adverse emotional or social stressors potentially resulting from the project including: concern for public safety from construction or operations-related accidents or malfunctions; or disruption of normal, daily living activities. Where a particular project emission or effluent discharge level falls below or within applicable limits, additional mitigation may not be required. However, where the change may be substantial, even if within set limits, due to local or regional circumstances or the extent of the change, the applicant must provide any other additional mitigation to minimize pollution and future human health risks. A visual impact assessment must consider and describe factors such as, but not limited to: how landforms, vegetation cover and other landscape features may or may not screen or visually absorb the project; how the project will compare with other adjacent or nearby built features; identification of view points and areas from which the project will be visible identification of views affected by the project; the depth of view to any project obstruction of views; and the width of angle of vision obstructed by the project. Where visual impacts are a concern the assessment should consider using methods such as photographic superimposition, mapping or GIS modeling of viewsheds. Applicants must clearly link this portion of their assessment to those sections of their assessment that consider the biophysical elements affecting human health (e.g., Acoustic Environment or Water Quality and Quantity). Consult Health Canada for information on human health impact assessments and to access The Canadian Handbook on Health Impact Assessment. Health indicator data is available from Statistics Canada.
Infrastructure and Services
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe the existing local and regional infrastructure in the study area, including: railways; roads, highways and their traffic usage levels and patterns; pipelines, water mains and sewage lines; navigable waterways; existing power lines; and any other potentially affected facilities. 2. Describe the existing local and regional services in the study and the predicted effects on those services. Include an assessment of effects to: accommodation, including camping facilities; recreation; waste disposal; police; fire-fighting; ambulance; and health care services. 3. Describe potential induction effects on other infrastructure operators. Where this could affect existing operations describe any authorizations required and consultations with potentially affected infrastructure operators and how any concerns raised will be addressed. 4. Describe any need for government and applicant expenditures for new or expanded services or infrastructure, arising out of project-related effects. 5. Describe any mitigative measures, including applicable plans, to address identified effects. 6. Where residual effects have been predicted, identify whether those residual effects would be likely to act in combination with the effects of other physical facilities or activities and expand on the matters described above as appropriate.	The assessment must consider, and where possible quantify, how project construction and operation activities may affect local or regional infrastructure and services, such as: housing; educational facilities; essential and emergency services (fire, police, ambulance, hospital) including the standard of service provided (e.g., response time); recreational requirements; transportation; and utilities including water, sewer, waste disposal, electricity. Effects related to the above-noted factors must be assessed from the perspectives of both: the project’s needs for infrastructure and services (e.g., to meet workers’ needs for housing or transportation); and the project’s effects on local infrastructure and services, and consequent effects on local residents (e.g., project effects on availability of housing for local residents or on traffic flows and delays to the local population). Applicants must consider any local and provincial or territorial guidelines regarding emergency services or requirements for heavy load vehicles and construction access permits.
Navigation and Navigation Safety
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Provide a listing of navigable waterways that the proposed power line corridor will pass in, on, under, over, through or across and the proposed crossing methodology. 2. Provide a listing of ancillary project components that will be constructed in, on, under, over, through, or across navigable waterways to support the power line project (e.g., temporary and permanent bridges). 3. Provide a listing of potentially affected waterway users and describe consultation conducted with waterway users and Indigenous Nations regarding navigational use, issues raised, and how issues have been addressed. 4. Describe project effects on navigation and navigation safety. 5. Describe proposed mitigation measures to address project effects on navigation and navigation safety.	Where there are waterways which are considered navigable and there are project effects on navigation and navigation safety, Applicants must assess who navigates the affected waterways (e.g., tourism groups, guide outfitters, anglers, kayaking organizations), the type of craft, the ability to notify waterway users of impediments, the project effects / impacts on safe and reliable navigation, and identify mitigation measures to minimize or eliminate project effects on navigation and navigation safety. Applicable codes such as CSA 22.3 Overhead Systems are to be adhered to.
Employment and Economy
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe the local and regional employment situation in the study area. 2. Describe any local or regional training and employment development plans. 3. Describe the ability of local and Indigenous residents and businesses to provide labour services, equipment, supplies and other contracting needs during construction, operation and maintenance of the project. 4. Describe plans to encourage local and Indigenous employment, procurement and contracting opportunities. 5. Describe any training programs the applicant is supporting to enhance employment opportunities for local and Indigenous residents. 6. Provide an estimate of the anticipated levels of local and regional economic participation in the project in comparison to the total project requirements (e.g., number of workers and total dollar value of contracts). 7. If the project has the potential to directly affect local, regional, provincial, territorial or federal government revenues from tax levees or other means during construction and operation, provide a quantitative assessment of the potential impacts.	The assessment should include a quantitative and qualitative review of: local and regional employment and unemployment levels; education and skill levels; local and regional economic conditions; and direct government revenues expected to be generated by the project. Construction and operations workforce numbers and contract values must be provided, where possible, on a month-to-month basis through the construction phase of the project and on a yearly basis for the operations phase of the project. For smaller projects, only an estimate of the construction workforce and the full-time operations workforce is required. The assessment must describe those situations when the project may directly or indirectly create economic hardship or the displacement of workers or businesses, including any mitigative measures to address these effects. If the applicant has prepared an economic benefits plan or has entered into specific cooperation agreements with communities or Indigenous Nations, the applicant should provide a summary of the employment, training and business commitments that were made.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Filing Requirements	Guidance
1. Describe the Indigenous and Treaty rights of the potentially affected Indigenous Peoples in the project area.	Applicants should describe for each potentially impacted Indigenous Nation, to the extent known or based on information that is available, the Indigenous and Treaty rights of the Indigenous Peoples in the project area that may be impacted by the proposed project. The information provided on the Indigenous rights in the project area should be sufficiently detailed to allow the Commission to understand and assess the potential effects of the proposed project on the Indigenous rights and, as appropriate, consider relevant mitigation measures. The amount of detail and depth of information relating to potential project effects on Indigenous rights should be commensurate with the scale and scope of the project, including its potential effects. Projects that are smaller in scale, have the potential for limited, low magnitude effects or do not require new lands may not require highly detailed information. Applicants should engage with potentially impacted Indigenous Nations to seek to understand the Indigenous rights as they are asserted by rights-bearing communities. Applicants should review the CER Early Engagement Guide, and should engage with potentially impacted Indigenous Nations as soon as is practicable in the project’s development in order to allow adequate time to discuss and understand each community’s understandings, practices and assertions related to their rights. Where one or more Indigenous Nations have not provided information, or where information is considered confidential, applicants should provide a rationale for the approach taken. Where Indigenous Nations do not wish to provide information, applicants are encouraged to continue sharing information and analysis with the Indigenous Nations on the potential effects of the project, and to use available public sources of information to support the assessment. Applicants may also wish to consult other relevant government departments or Indigenous organizations that may have information or expertise. Applicants are encouraged to discuss with Indigenous Nations their views on how to reflect the assessment of impacts on rights in their application.
2. Describe how Indigenous and Treaty rights are exercised or practiced in the project area.	In describing the ways in which Indigenous rights are exercised, applicants should engage directly with Indigenous Peoples to seek to understand and document the values, practices, activities, customs or traditions that are connected to and are undertaken in relation to the rights identified. Applicants may also wish to consult and document any relevant secondary information sources that may assist in describing the exercise of Indigenous rights in the project area. When engaging with Indigenous Nations, or based on any secondary information sources, applicants should provide sufficient detail to describe how general or specific rights are being exercised, such as: the quality, quantity or distribution of resources involved in or required for exercise of the rights (for example, any preferred wildlife or plant species utilized, the cultural, ceremonial or nutritional uses or importance of resources, and perception of quality, cultural connections to a particular species); access to the resources used or required to exercise the rights (for example, physical access or travel ways to access culturally important or harvesting locations, and distance from communities of residence); locations or areas of cultural importance where Indigenous rights are exercised. Applicants should identify and incorporate within their effects assessment, preferably beginning at the assessment design phase, those valued components that are most relevant for an assessment of the project’s potential effects on the exercise of Indigenous rights. Applicants should also engage with Indigenous Nations to ascertain whether any Indigenous knowledge is being provided in confidence, and if so, ensure that confidential Indigenous knowledge can be appropriately protected from unauthorized disclosure. Applicants should strive to reach agreements or utilize existing community protocols with respect to Indigenous knowledge. Applicants should also describe how other information in their application, including information about traditional land and resource uses, effects on heritage resources, or environmental, health, social and economic conditions in the project area, are relevant to and have been used to describe the practice of Indigenous rights. Applicants may therefore, as appropriate, refer to information throughout their application or consolidate required information in order to adequately describe how rights are exercised in the project area, to reduce duplication of information.
3. Describe the context in which the Indigenous and Treaty rights are exercised or practiced in the project area.	When describing the rights exercised in the project area, and the ways in which they are being exercised, consider the cultural, social, and biophysical context in which the exercise of the right occurs. Applicants should engage with Indigenous Nations to seek to understand, document and address wherever possible, the underlying values, traditions and cultural practices associated with the exercise of rights that may be affected by the project, where such information has been provided or is not considered confidential. This context may consider, as appropriate to the project, matters such as: relevant circumstances that may affect traditional Indigenous practices, such as the availability of lands or resources for the exercise of rights in the project area; or, how the Indigenous Nation’s cultural traditions, laws and governance systems inform the manner in which they exercise their Indigenous rights.
4. Describe the project’s potential effects on the exercise or practice of Indigenous and Treaty rights in the project area.	Applicants should, based on available information, describe the potential adverse effects of the project’s components and physical activities on the exercise or practice of Indigenous rights of each of the potentially impacted Indigenous Nations, including (but not limited to): effects on the quality, quantity or distribution of resources involved in or required for exercise of the right; effects on access to the resources used or required to exercise the right; effects relating to timing and seasonality of the exercise of rights; effects on specific areas of cultural importance where Indigenous rights are exercised; effects on an Indigenous Nation’s cultural traditions, laws and governance systems that inform the manner in which they exercise their Indigenous rights. Where communities have identified or provided thresholds or criteria that describe levels or conditions relating to their ability to meaningfully exercise Indigenous rights, applicants should, as applicable: describe the threshold or criteria, including quantitative or qualitative measures; and describe how those thresholds or criteria have been used, as applicable or appropriate, in the assessment.
5. Describe the measures to be implemented by the applicant to avoid, reduce or eliminate potential adverse effects of the project on the exercise of Indigenous and Treaty rights. Also describe any measures that would enhance or support the exercise or practice of Indigenous rights in the project area. 6. Where there may be any residual effects, after mitigation measures are implemented and that are related to the project, describe the nature and extent of these, including their contribution to any potential cumulative effects.	Describe those measures that, when implemented for the project, would avoid, reduce or eliminate the potential adverse impacts of the project on the exercise of Indigenous rights. These measures must clearly describe how the applicant intends to implement them. Applicants should ensure that they describe: how the measures directly address the project’s potential effects on the exercise of rights; the extent to which the measures will avoid, reduce or eliminate the potential adverse impacts of the project on the exercise of Indigenous rights; and whether any residual effects of the project on the exercise of rights would remain after the measures are implemented. Where provided, applicants should include specific mitigation suggestions or recommendations raised by potentially impacted Indigenous Nations regarding the measures for the project that would address such impacts. Applicants should also describe any responses, as applicable, to the views provided by potentially impacted Indigenous Nations. Applicants should also consider measures that can be implemented in relation to the project that would support, improve or provide benefit to the exercise of Indigenous rights. Where such measures are described elsewhere in an application (such as measures relating to employment, procurement, or monitoring), this should be referenced or consolidated. Where such measures are proposed, applicants should describe how these measures have been discussed with potentially impacted Indigenous Nations, including any comments or recommendations made by Indigenous Nations, or any agreements entered into that specify benefits or compensation measures relating to the project.

Date modified:: 2023-05-26