Impact Assessment Agency of Canada seeks members for Indigenous advisory committee

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) announced that it is seeking applications from individuals interested in becoming members of its Indigenous Advisory Committee. The committee’s mandate is to provide expert advice on developing key policy and guidance on the impact assessment system.

According to the IAAC, applicants must have significant expertise and knowledge regarding the unique rights, interests, and circumstances of the First Nations, Métis or Inuit in Canada. They must also have experience in at least one of the following topics:

• Impact assessment theory or practice (e.g., environmental assessment, social impact assessment, health impact assessment, economic impact assessment, and cultural impact assessment);
• Provincial, territorial, federal or international environmental/impact assessment laws;
• Indigenous knowledge system;
• Use of Indigenous knowledge together with other forms of evidence, including western science, in studies or to inform decision-making;
• Indigenous-led assessments;
• Indigenous law related to resource development and environmental management;
• Natural resource development and key industry sectors (e.g., oil and gas, hydroelectricity, nuclear, forestry, and mining);
• Environmental monitoring;
• Crown-Indigenous relations and reconciliation;
• Best practices for Indigenous participation, collaboration, and partnership.

The IAAC confirmed that applicants’ national or international recognition for their field of expertise, academic or professional credentials, ability to work effectively on a council, committee or board, skills in mediation or consensus-building, or knowledge of environmental or impact assessment might serve as additional criteria for selecting members.

The committee’s membership will include individuals nominated by Indigenous governing bodies representing the interests of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Selected candidates will replace existing members whose terms expire in March 2023, and each will be appointed for renewable periods of four to five years.

Interested applicants may submit their completed application form, letter of interest or support, and curriculum vitae to [email protected]. The deadline for submission of applications is until November 15.