New Publication: Population health equity provisions in impact assessment: Legal mapping of federal, provincial, and territorial frameworks in Canada

Extractive industries (for resources such as oil, minerals, and metals) negatively impact population health equity through many ways, including ecosystem degradation, community stressors, and health hazards. Canada’s existing processes of health impact assessments for extractive industry developments span federal and provincial/territorial jurisdictions. This study examined impact assessment laws and legal frameworks across all Canadian jurisdictions to identify population health equity provisions relating to extractive industry developments.

Findings showed that while gaps still exist, the most comprehensive frameworks are found at the federal level, the Pacific and Northern Region (BC, the territories), and Quebec. The Prairie Region, Atlantic Region, and Ontario have opportunities to strengthen requirements to improve population health, engagement with Indigenous communities, and consider climate change in project decisions. The study suggests that prioritizing population health equity is influenced by multiple, dynamic considerations, and policy advancements can be pursued mutually by community and industry.

Learn more in the full study.