The government of Canada has implemented new measures and undertaken targeted adjustments to the federal environmental assessment process for projects funded under specific federal funding programs. This initiative, specifically schedule 4 of the Exclusion List Regulations 2007, is consistent with efforts to focus federal environmental assessments and allow proponents to accelerate projects. Transport Canada Surface Infrastructure Programs, responsible for managing a number of federal funding programs for highways, borders, railways, transit and federal bridges has been tasked, along with other federal departments to team up with Provinces and private sector proponents in implementing Canada’s new regulatory tools. The Lewvan Drive Interchange project underway in Regina, Saskatchewan is a project that highlights how Canada’s new regulatory tools have been put into practice and achieved successful results. Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure (MHI), the proponent, applied for funding under the Building Canada Fund of the federal governments Building Canada Plan for this project. This project was excluded from a screening level environmental assessment under schedule 4 of the Exclusion List Regulations 2007 on July 16, 2009. Despite no screening level assessment under Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) for the project, wetland loss was identified during the exclusion process as a potential concern. Saskatchewan MHI carried this issue forward beyond the exclusion decision where it eventually resulted in a wetland compensation plan being agreed to and implemented by Ducks Unlimited Canada on December 2, 2009. The Lewvan Drive Interchange project highlights how a collaborative effort between federal and provincial governments and an non-government organization resulted in successful management of environmental responsibilities for a project.
