Application for approval of works
Once the Navigation Protection Program has received a complete application, the Navigation Protection Program will:
- assess whether the work requires an application (some processes don’t require an application).
- determine if an exemption is required due to prohibited activities, you will be notified at this time.
- determine whether the work interferes with navigation.
A parallel review for important considerations like Indigenous consultations or an environmental review may be required. A public notice will also need to be published.
After the assessment, we will contact you to:
- issue an approval.
- deny the approval if the impacts to navigation, the rights of Indigenous Peoples or the environmental impacts are unacceptable.
The Navigation Protection Program may monitor approved works to make sure they comply with the conditions of approval.
Application for exemptions
Once we've received a complete application, we'll:
- assess your application to make sure it's complete and includes all necessary documents.
- contact you during the review if we need more information.
- complete other consultations, as needed.
- assess how your project would impact navigation.
- assess whether you need to consult and accommodate any Indigenous communities affected by the prohibited activities.
- proceed with an official request for an exemption from the Minister of Transport to the Governor in Council, based on the information and evidence submitted.
If the exemption is granted, the Order in Council will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and we will contact you to let you know.
Parallel review processes
Depending on the type of project proposed, the nature and degree of impacts, and its location, you may need to go through one or more additional review processes. These processes are referred to as parallel review processes by the NPP and they may run concurrently with the Navigation Protection Program review. Parallel reviews could include important considerations such as an environmental review, an Indigenous consultation or an Order in Council. Find out in our Guide to the Navigation Protection Program’s Notification, Application and Review Requirements.
Public notices about a work
A public notice invites the public and Indigenous groups to comment on the proposed project for a limited time. The Navigation Protection Program reviews the comments for applications for approval of works located on a scheduled waterway. For works located on non-scheduled waterways, the comments will be directed to the person who owns the proposed work.