Frequently Asked Questions – General

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Proponent Portal: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Proponent Portal?
2. What is different about the Proponent Portal now from the way proponents used to submit information?
3. Should I contact IAAC before submitting a new project for review?
4. Why do I need to sign in?
5. How to deal with sign-in credentials when a proponent has multiple projects and users?
6. Where can I find information about sign-in options (sign-in partner or GCKey)?
7. What security measures are in place to protect my ID and my documents?
8. What documents can be uploaded through the Proponent Portal?
9. Is there a limitation on size and format of files that can be uploaded through the Proponent Portal?
10. Will the file I upload automatically submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada?
11. Will the file I upload automatically upload to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry?
12. Do I have to submit files in both official languages?
13. How can I get training on the Proponent Portal?
14. Who do I contact for assistance?

What is the Proponent Portal

The Impact Assessment Agency Proponent Portal (Proponent Portal) aims to facilitate the exchange of documents, data and contact information between proponents and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) only for projects described under the Physical Activities Regulations (opens a new window).

What is different about the Proponent Portal now from the way proponents used to submit information?

The Proponent Portal allows proponents to:

• Upload all the documents required throughout the impact and environmental assessment processes.
• Have all their files uploaded and submitted to one place, regardless of their size and format.
• Upload and submit their documents and data in a secure and reliable online environment.
• Check their project status.

Should I contact IAAC before submitting a new project for review?

Proponents of designated projects are strongly encouraged to communicate directly with IAAC well in advance of submitting an Initial Project Description. The objective of this pre-submission engagement with IAAC is to facilitate development of documentation and to support a more timely and efficient planning phase. Proponents should also contact other federal regulatory agencies, the provincial government(s) and any other relevant jurisdictions, regarding project information that may be required by these authorities.

PLEASE NOTE: If your project is a non-designated project on federal lands (or outside of Canada) that must meet requirements set out in sections 81-91 of the Impact Assessment Act, then project notices and descriptions are posted directly on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry by the responsible federal authority. If you are an authority for such a project and do not already have a Registry account, you can sign up at the following link: Sign Up.

Why do I need to sign in?

Signing in with a sign-in partner or GCKey allows you to upload your documents and data in a secure and reliable online environment, regardless of their size and format.

How to deal with sign-in credentials when a proponent has multiple projects and users?

Each user with their own profile will sign in with their credentials to access all projects in their organization.

Where can I find information about sign-in options (sign-in partner or GCKey)?

For more information about sign-in options, consult the sign-in frequently asked questions.

What security measures are in place to protect my ID and my documents?

No one internally can know which GCKey or partner credential is used for a profile. Your privacy is respected in that no personally identifiable information (such as name, birth date, etc.) is exchanged during the authentication process.

The GCKey service does not share your registration information with any third party. The information you provide is held by the Government of Canada and is protected under the federal Privacy Act.

Documents and data submitted to IAAC will be circulated to relevant government departments and agencies. They may be made publicly available on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry). Copies of the documents and data may be provided to interested parties. If any information should be considered confidential, please contact IAAC before submitting it.

The Government of Canada accepts no liability whatsoever for any claim that might in any way arise as a consequence of the Government of Canada’s handling, use, publication or release of documents and data, or the information contained therein, either in whole or in part. Proponents are wholly responsible for ensuring that documents and data are accurate and their contents are not subjected to any confidentiality requirements. Proponents are not to provide confidential, personal or proprietary information that should not be made accessible to the public.

What documents can be uploaded through the Proponent Portal?

The following documents and data can be uploaded through the Proponent Portal:

• Initial Project Description
• Detailed Project Description (with response to Summary of issues)
• Impact Statement (for projects subject to IAA and CEAA 2012)
• Responses to Information Requests (for projects subject to IAA and CEAA 2012)
• Proposed project changes after IA Decision-Making
• GIS Shape files

Any correspondence regarding the conduct and/or process of a project assessment should be sent by email to the project email address, including any request to suspend or extend time limits. Additionally, any comments on documents during a public comment period should be submitted through the Registry.

Is there a limitation on size and format of files that can be uploaded through the Proponent Portal?

There is no limitation on size and format of files that can be uploaded through the Proponent Portal. Additionally, in accordance with the Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations, any information that is required to be submitted by a proponent under the Impact Assessment Act must be in a machine-readable format.

Will the file I upload automatically submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada?

No. When you upload a document, IAAC will get a notification and can have access to the document informally. You need to click on submit button to officially submit the file to IAAC.

Will the file I upload automatically upload to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry?

No. IAAC will get a notification and can have access to the file, but it won’t automatically be uploaded to the Registry and will be reviewed to ensure it conforms with the Proponent Portal Submission Policy.

Do I have to submit files in both official languages?

In accordance with the Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations, any information that is required to be submitted by a proponent under the Act must include a plain-language summary of the information in English and in French. For other documents, IAAC will translate the information as required.

How can I get training on the Proponent Portal?

If you would like to get training on the Proponent Portal, please contact IAAC project manager responsible for your project assessment.

Who do I contact for assistance?

If you need assistance on the Proponent Portal, please contact iaac.proponentportal-portailpromoteur.aeic@canada.ca.