78.3 Environmental Impact Assessment
Whereas, Many major construction installations have been initiated in the past without apparent concern for, or full knowledge of, the social and environmental impact of those installations;
Whereas, Current environmental protection legislation at the national level tends to be remedial legislation, which comes into operation only after environmental degradation has occurred;
Whereas, The effectiveness of the Environmental Assessment Review Process, created by Cabinet decision for those installations, initiated or funded by the federal government or any of its agencies, rests solely on the discretionary powers of the proponents of the installations, the Cabinet, and its component departments;
Whereas, It is essential that the assessment procedure be clarified by legislation and enforced by regulations passed pursuant to the legislation; and,
Whereas, It is crucial that social and environmental assessments be made prior to project development approval; that the public have freedom of access to all reports and documents and that the right of the public participation in the review process be guaranteed; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to enact legislation, instituting mandatory assessment procedures prior to the construction of installations, potentially damaging to the environment for all projects carried out by or on behalf of, or funded in whole or part by the Government of Canada, its Crown Corporations or Agencies; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to encourage by every available means, the cooperation of the provincial governments to establish similar mandatory legislation and regulations for environmental impact assessment procedures in those areas within their legislative jurisdiction.
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge Provincial and Local Councils of Women and their affiliates to urge their respective Provincial Governments to institute legislation that would ensure for all government and private installations within their legislative jurisdictions, mandatory assessment procedures prior to the construction of those installations potentially damaging to the environment.