EIA in Canada: strengthening follow-up, monitoring and evaluation

The purpose of this chapter is to consider the state of follow-up, monitoring and evaluation in Canada. We introduce seven components of best practice derived from the international literature, revised based on our work on six recent large-scale projects. Next, we consider how these components are reflected in legislation across Canada. Although long-recognized as important to good assessment, no jurisdiction achieves the full suite of practices. In fact, little attention is paid to follow-up, monitoring and evaluation across Canada. Newer laws provide improved direction. However, significant gaps remain in areas such as building relationships with First Nations, Metis and Inuit Rights holders, ensuring sufficient capacity for implementation and requiring transparent results. As a consequence, post-approval practices fall far short of their potential, which limits the opportunities for practitioners to learn – within a project, within a sector or within a jurisdiction.