Strategic Environmental Assessment within Canada’s Memorandum to Cabinet Procedure: Some Personal Reflections

Abstract

By participating in the 4th EU Workshop on Environmental Impact Assessment, I hope to achieve two purposes: 1) to share Canadian experiences with European colleagues who are considering the European Community’s (EU) proposed Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) directive; and 2) to learn from European SEA experience for use in Canada.

William J. Couch earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago in Central European studies and international affairs. He has been a Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (formerly FEARO) for 20 years.

This paper represents solely the views of the author. They should not in any way be construed to represent the policy of the Government of Canada, or the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

1) William J. Couch, A Summary of Environmental Assessment Practice Outside of Canada. Ottawa, Canada: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Impact Assessment Centre, Carleton University, March 1996