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ARTICLE · 30 JULY 2020

Federal Government Releases Strategic Assessment Of Climate Change

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On July 16, 2020, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) released its Strategic Assessment of Climate Change (SACC).

CanadaEnvironment
Sean Assié
Sean Assié
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On July 16, 2020, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) released its Strategic Assessment of Climate Change (SACC). The SACC provides detailed new guidance to project proponents required to assess climate change impacts within a federal impact assessment under the Impact Assessment Act, SC 2019, c 28, s 1 (IAA). The SACC will also inform consideration under the IAA of the extent to which a designated project hinders or contributes to the Government of Canada's ability to meet its commitments in respect of climate change.

The process leading to the publication of the SACC was launched in July 2018 following the introduction of Bill C-69 to replace the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. In addition to explicitly adding climate change and Canada's international commitments to the list of factors considered in a federal impact assessment, the IAA introduces new powers that allow the Minister of ECCC to conduct a "strategic assessment" of any Government

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