Letter from John P. Manly, President and Chief Executive Officer:

In terms of the key principles outlined in the discussion paper:

• We support meaningful public involvement in the assessment process, including ensuring that those directly affected have an adequate voice. However, a balance must be sought to ensure the entire process does not become unwieldly and prone to unacceptable delay.
• We support meaningful and timely engagement of Indigenous peoples in projects and decisions that directly affect their interests.
• We support evidence-based decision-making reflecting sound science and incorporating relevant Indigenous knowledge.
• One project – one assessment must continue to be a guiding principle, both as to how they are handled among multiple department/agencies within the federal government, and also with respect to overlapping provincial/territorial jurisdiction.