The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency encourages public participation because protecting Canada's environment is everyone's business. There are many current opportunities and ways to get involved in federal environmental assessment, through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Your participation in the federal environmental assessment process ensures an open, balanced process and strengthens the quality and credibility of environmental assessments. Also, your local and traditional knowledge about a project's physical site can help to identify and address potential environmental effects at an early stage of the environmental assessment process.

Ways to Get Involved

You can:

• See current opportunities to participate in environmental assessments.
• Visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry for information about projects taking place in your area.
• Apply for funding to assist your participation, or that of your organization or group, in the comprehensive studies, mediations, review panels and joint review panels through the Agency's Participant Funding Program.
• Take advantage of opportunities to participate in screenings, including reviewing and commenting on screening reports before a final decision is made on the project.
• Examine and comment on a class screening report before the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency declares it an appropriate means to assess similar projects.
• Review and submit comments during a comprehensive study process. The Minister of the Environment takes public comments into account before determining the future of a project.
• Participate in any public meetings or hearings associated with a review panel.

Responsible authorities help to provide opportunities for public participation. Guidance is available under Resources for EA Professionals.