Intervener funding in the environmental assessment process in Canada

Abstract

Intervener Funding (IF) has been adopted in Canada as a means of providing financial assistance to individuals or groups to allow them to participate in the Environmental Assessment process. In Ontario funds are allocated to interest groups (interveners) when their interests represent an issue which is significant to the public likely to be affected by a proposed development, and when a separate representation would assist the Environmental Assessment Panel.

While the value of IF is well established, there is still a clear need to extend its application. Legislation Ls required at both federal and provincial level not only to ensure that adequate funding is made available but also to establish independent funding committees to administer the process, in particular to enforce eligibility criteria.

Keywords:

• Environmental Impact Assessment
• public participation
• project appraisal