The environmental assessment process can be fixed. But governments are going to need to get moving.
That was the message from a column in the Vancouver Sun, written by Don Cayo, that examines a recent study from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.
“Protectors of the Land” argues that more education, redefined expectations and earlier consultations will make environmental assessments work faster for businesses and more effectively for Aboriginal groups.
“British Columbians who worry that Canada’s environmental assessment process is flawed, if not downright broken, may take heart from a new analysis that argues we’re not at the point of no return”, writes Cayo.
Cayo examines several of the report’s recommendations, including: Getting Aboriginal groups involved earlier in development discussions, creating a forum for discussing issues outside the scope of the EA and investing more money in helping participants learn about the process.
The paper was also profiled in a Toronto Star column by Carol Goar.
