Comparative Analysis and Reflections on the CEAA and CEAA 2012
Overview
This paper compares the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) of 1995 with the revised CEAA 2012 to analyze changes in federal and provincial government roles, assessment processes, and scope. The analysis demonstrates that the 2012 amendments have centralized federal authority, reduced public participation opportunities, and streamlined assessment procedures in ways that may prioritize economic growth over environmental protection.
What this coursework covers
- Introduction: Examines Canada's declining environmental protection reputation and the 2012 amendments' impact on resource exploitation and public interest
- Federal and Provincial Participation: Compares the reduction of federal decision-making agencies from hundreds to three and the implications for provincial government involvement
- Process: Contrasts the four-step assessment process in CEAA 1995 with the two-step process in CEAA 2012, discussing elimination of mediation and comprehensive studies
- Scope: Discusses the term 'streamlining' and its effect on reducing the scope of environmental assessment requirements
Preview
TA Comparative Analysis and Reflections on the CEAA and CEAA 2012
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Program Name or Degree Name (e.g., Master of Science in Nursing), Walden University
COURSE XXX: Title of Course
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Month XX, 202X
TA Comparative Analysis and Reflections on the CEAA and CEAA 2012
Introduction
For many years, Canada enjoyed a positive reputation in international circles because it protected the environment. However, according to (Kirchhoff, Gardner, & Tsuji, 2013, p. 3), this reputation is no longer warranted. Recent signs show that the federal government has downsized its expenditures in environmental protection through the changes realized in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act of 2012. The act suggests that the Canadian government is more focused on economic growth through the rapid exploitation of resources at the expense of the environment (2014). As a result, industries stand to gain more than the public. The current paper compares CEAA and CEAA 2012 to determine the changes and their implications.
Narration
According to Doelle (2012), the changes in the CEAA touch on core issues:
- Public participation in environmental issues,
- The process,
- Scope, and
- The roles of federal and provincial governments.
Proof
Federal and Provincial Participation
When the Canadian Constitution Act came into place in 1867, there was no mention of the environment. As a result, environmental responsibility was shared between the provincial and federal governments (Kirchhoff, Gardner, & Tsuji, 2013, p. 3). CEAA 1995 was designed based on the idea that federal decision-makers were to consider environmental implications of projects through a flexible screening process.