Impact Assessment Act

Marginal note:Purpose

• 6 (1) The purpose of this Act is to prevent or mitigate significant adverse effects within federal jurisdiction — and significant direct or incidental adverse effects — that may be caused by the carrying out of designated projects, as well as significant adverse environmental effects, as defined in section 81, that may be caused by the carrying out of projects, as defined in that section, by establishing processes to anticipate, identify and assess the potential effects of those projects in order to inform decision making under this or any other Act of Parliament in respect of those effects.

• Marginal note:Mandate

  (2) The Government of Canada, the Minister, the Agency and federal authorities, in the administration of this Act, must exercise their powers in a manner that fosters sustainability, respects the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, takes into account Indigenous knowledge, considers the cumulative effects of physical activities, applies the precautionary principle and promotes cooperation among jurisdictions and with the Indigenous peoples of Canada.

• Marginal note:Application of principles to powers

  (3) The Government of Canada, the Minister, the Agency and federal authorities must, in the administration of this Act, exercise their powers in a manner that

  • (a) ensures that processes referred to in subsection (1) are fair, predictable and efficient; and

  • (b) adheres to the principles of scientific integrity, honesty, objectivity, thoroughness and accuracy.