The federal government of Canada will no longer undertake environmental assessments for smaller resource projects but will only do assessments for those of national significance. At this point it is unclear how that standard will be determined. The federal government will allow the provincial governments to review the resource projects when it deems that the specific province has the expertise and experience to assess such project. Where the federal government continues to do reviews, responsibility will fall to three central agencies; officials at Fisheries and Oceans or Transport Canada will not be able to intervene. Agencies will have to meet fixed time lines when reviewing major resource projects. The government will introduce new penalties for those who contravene federal environmental regulations, ranging up to $400,000.00 CAD.
Source: (in part) Globe and Mail
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