Indigenous Considerations In The Expert Panel Report On Federal Environmental Assessment Processes

Our April 7 post on the report of the Expert Panel reviewing federal environmental assessment processes noted that the report contains recommendations for greater inclusion of Indigenous peoples in federal environmental assessment processes. This post looks in more detail at the report's key recommendations and commentary on that subject. Overall, the Expert Panel report envisions a much greater level of direct Indigenous participation in environmental assessment, including at the decision-making level, than is currently the case, as well as significantly enhanced consideration of impacts on Indigenous rights and interests in federal environmental assessments.

Consent

The Expert Panel report envisions Indigenous peoples as being on par with other levels of government in federal environmental assessments. The report refers to the "inherent jurisdiction" of Indigenous groups over their traditional territories, and, consistent with the federal government's adoption