Course Description

This introductory course provides participants with an overview of the statutory requirements under the Impact Assessment Act, 2019 (IAA 2019) related to Aboriginal groups. It also explains the Crown’s duty to consult with Aboriginal groups when the Crown contemplates an activity that might adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights. The course provides practical information on how the legal duty to consult is integrated into the environmental assessment (EA) of a designated project for which the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) is the responsible authority and when the Agency supports EAs by Review Panel.

The course highlights the consultation process outlined in the Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult and offers practical examples of how the Agency fulfills its consultation objectives. The course provides a high-level overview of the step-by-step consultation approach conducted by the Agency.

• Individuals who are, or will be, involved with the EA of a designated project under IAA 2019
• Individuals who have an interest in understanding how Aboriginal groups are involved in EAs for which the Agency is the responsible authority and when the Agency supports EAs by Review Panel under IAA 2019
• Individuals with an interest in exploring the practical context of federal EA and the Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult (March 2011) or any subsequent update

The course will:

• provide participants with an overview of IAA 2019, including the key provisions with respect to Aboriginal groups and the Crown’s duty to consult with Aboriginal groups in a federal EA;
• explain the Agency’s dual role as Crown Consultation Coordinator and responsible authority under IAA 2019;
• provide participants with the necessary knowledge of how the Agency integrates statutory requirements under IAA 2019 with the Crown’s duty to consult; and
• provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills for planning, conducting and/or reporting on the reasons for engagement and consultation activities with Aboriginal groups during a federal EA.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• familiarize themselves with the reasons and process for Aboriginal groups’ involvement in the EA of a designated project under IAA 2019 and gain better understanding of the Crown’s legal duty to consult;
• learn about relationship-building and consultation with Aboriginal groups from a resource person; and
• engage in a hands-on approach to learning through interactive exercises and group discussions.