Time Well Spent? : A Survey of Public Participation in Federal Environmental Assessment Panels

This paper provides a qualitative overview of the role of public participation in the review panel process under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). Our purpose is to assess experience with public participation to date, and to make recommendations to strengthen the role of the public in environmental assessment panels. In our view, a strong, credible process will better help to protect people and the environment, now and into the future.