Strategic Environmental Assessment

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is a tool used to incorporate environmental considerations into policy, planning or program proposals.  When used early in the development of a proposal, SEA contributes to informed decision-making.  It provides decision-makers with environmental impact information for modifying the design of policies, plans and programs so that the negative impacts can be minimized or eliminated and the positive impacts optimized.

The Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals and Guidelines for Implementing the Cabinet Directive require departments to conduct a SEA of a policy, plan or program proposal to identify potential environmental impacts and propose mitigation measures when:

• Ministerial or Cabinet approval is required; and
• Important, positive or negative, environmental effects may result.

The first step in the SEA process is an initial review to determine whether there is any potential for environmental effects associated with the proposal.  If warranted, a Preliminary Scan is conducted to determine whether important environmental effects would result from implementation of the proposal.  At the same time, potential project-level assessment requirements, under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, are identified.  If the scan determines that there are no important environmental effects, the decision is documented and the SEA process is considered complete.

If the scan determines that there is potential for important environmental effects, or if there is a high level of uncertainty or risk associated with the outcome, then more detailed analysis of the environmental effects is conducted through a SEA.

Public statements

The Guidelines for implementing the Cabinet Directive require departments to prepare a public statement of environmental effects when a SEA has been conducted.

Changes to the Fish Habitat Protection and Pollution Prevention Provisions of the Fisheries Act

Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI)

Renewal of the Sustainable Aquaculture Program 2013-2018

Health of the Oceans: Enabling Responsible Marine Management

Pacific Integrated Catch Fishing Initiative (PICFI)

A Framework for Canadian Leadership on International Oceans in support of our G7 Presidency

Strategic Environmental Assessment Report

Rustico Harbour / Bay - Executive Summary of Final Report

Please address any inquiries about the report Strategic Environmental Assessment – Rustico Harbour / Bay to: sch-ppb@dfo-mpo.gc.ca