Environmental Assessment Processes and the Implementation of Indigenous Peoples Free, Prior and Informed Consent

This report, written by Thierry Rodon and Martin Papillon, addresses the potential role of the federal environmental assessment process in implementing the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Indigenous Consent (FPIC).The authors recommend that FPIC be recognized as a one of the core principles guiding a renewed EA process in Canada, through legislative changes and the development of new mechanisms that foster collaborative decision-making, informed deliberation and transparency. FPIC should ideally be an integral part of decision-making at every level of government activities, from legislation and policy development to strategic review and project specific assessment.