As of April 1, 2024, the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment replaces the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals.
The new Cabinet Directive aims to improve how we understand and consider the environmental and economic effects of proposals sent to Cabinet for decision, regulatory proposals and funding requests, through the Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment process.
As part of this process, proposals are reviewed to assess their:
- impact on the environment, including pollution in air, water and soil
- impact on biodiversity
- impact on greenhouse gas emissions
- vulnerability to climate change
- impact on Canada’s climate resilience, and
- impact on the economy
This process makes sure that the environmental and economic impacts of policies, programs and regulations are assessed in a thorough and consistent way. This approach helps make informed decisions and considers federal priorities, like those in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.
The Cabinet Directive also requires departments and agencies to publish a public statement for any proposal that goes through a detailed environmental or economic analysis. These statements, which are published after the proposal is announced or implemented, show that the proposal’s impacts were carefully considered during its development and decision-making.
Transport Canada posts public statements for proposals assessed under both Cabinet Directives on this page.
Public statements
Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessments
- VIA Rail Canada Inc.’s Renewal of its Long Distance Regional and Remote Fleet
- Co-development Phase of Alto’s High-Speed Rail Initiative
Strategic Environmental Assessments
Completed under the former Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals
- Green Shipping Corridor Program
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
- Strategies to Decarbonize On-Road Transportation
- Oceans Protection Plan Renewal
- Federal Zero-Emission Vehicle Measures
- Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation in Canada
- Next Generation of Clean Transportation Initiatives