Abstract

Past environmental impact assessments (EIA) in Canada and many parts of the world have focused on the biophysical environment. Within Canada, most considerations of socio-economic impacts relate to a biophysical impact that may result from a development. In Canada's north, the settlement of “comprehensive land claims” between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government resulted in distinct environmental legislation based on the principles of “co-management”. The Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act has a unique definition of “impact on the environment” that in addition to consideration of biophysical impacts, includes any effects on society, culture, traditional harvesting and heritage resources. One of the key challenges for implementing this legislation has been the recognition of new roles and responsibilities related to socioeconomic impact assessment (SEIA) and mitigation of found impacts. The body responsible for EIA, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, has taken steps to bring socio-economic considerations into its processes, engaging diverse groups (industry, government, non-government organizations, experts in social matters and the people of the Northwest Territories) in a process that culminated with the release of Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Guidelines. The true test will be whether the resulting rigorous assessment will translate into better identification and management of social, economic and cultural impacts. Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board IAIA 2007