Canada’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework is a critical determinant of project viability, with major developments. From 2019 to early 2024, about 25% of federal reviews were terminated before a decision, often for feasibility concerns. Even among projects with significant adverse effects, 73% were approved only after substantial modifications to protect water, wildlife, and community interests.

This certified program is designed to equip environmental leaders and project managers with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to navigate Canada’s complex EIA system with confidence. Covering the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), provincial and territorial assessment regimes, and regional/strategic assessment frameworks, this program will provide you with a deep understanding of the legal, procedural, and technical foundations that guide environmental decision-making across Canada’s federal and sub-national jurisdictions.

You will be guided through each major stage of the EIA process, including project designation and triggers, screening and scoping, baseline studies for biophysical, socioeconomic, and health components, technical modelling, stakeholder and Indigenous engagement, significance evaluation, and preparation of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). The program also explores climate and GHG assessment requirements, sustainability frameworks, cumulative effects analysis, and resilience planning, key expectations for modern Canadian EIAs. You will also examine the legal duty to consult, the integration of Indigenous knowledge, co-development approaches, and shared decision-making protocols that shape environmental approvals.

Through applied Canadian case studies, you will gain practical insights into conducting EIAs for environmental, mining, energy, infrastructure, and regional development projects. You will learn to develop defensible mitigation measures, monitoring and follow-up programs, adaptive management frameworks, and Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), while ensuring documentation meets IAAC standards for transparency, traceability, and legal defensibility. The program also emphasizes multi-jurisdictional harmonization, managing regulatory information requests, and preparing assessments that withstand technical review and judicial scrutiny.

Upon completing the program and passing the Chartered exam, you will attain the Certified Environmental Impact Assessment Manager (CEIA™) designation. This prestigious certification will validate your expertise in leading complex EIAs, ensuring regulatory compliance across Canadian jurisdictions, and advancing sustainable, resilient, and community-supported project outcomes. This industry-recognized credential holds lifelong validity and will demonstrate your leadership, professional excellence, and commitment to delivering high-quality environmental assessments across Canada.