Pre-Submission Engagement For Executive Committee Screenings
A better way forward for Executive Committee screenings
The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) has developed a Pre-submission Engagement (PSE) process for Executive Committee screenings. PSE is a proactive, front-end process that occurs before a project proposal is submitted for screening by the Executive Committee (EC). The purpose of pre-submission engagement is to bring interested and affected parties together to review project requirements well in advance of a detailed proposal being submitted for assessment. This helps identify gaps and issues of concern, to define values and baseline information requirements and ensure a timely and efficient screening process.
The PSE process came into effect on June 1, 2022. Projects submitted to the Executive Committee on or after June 1, 2022 will be in the PSE process. Projects that have already entered the screening process (the adequacy review stage or later) on this date will remain in the process in place prior to May 31, 2022.
Rules & Project Description Requirements
On March 31, 2022, the Board approved PSE Rules and Project Description Requirements. A consolidated version of the amended Rules for Screenings Conducted by the Executive Committee (Screening Rules) is available below.
Screening Rules – Office Consolidation – English 2022
Les règles (En Français) – 2022
Project Description Requirements – English – 2022
Les exigences de description de projet (En Français) – 2022
PSE Rules Review
PSE Rules Review Response
On June 7, 2021, the Board approved proposed PSE rules and Project Description Requirements for the purposes of publishing the rules in the Canada Gazette and inviting written representations pursuant to s.34(1) of YESAA. The public comment period ran from July 3 to September 30, 2021.
A “PSE Rules Review – Public Input Response Report (what we heard and what we’re doing about it) (Response Report) has been developed outlining the key themes and issues identified by participants and YESAB’s response to the input. The Response Report identifies if the PSE rules were modified (or not) in response to participant comments and the accompanying rationale.
What We Heard – Response Report (2022)
The PSE Rules were published in the Canada Gazette on May 28, 2022
PSE Rules Review 2021 – Background
Board rules are required to establish the PSE process. PSE impacts the current screening process as set out in the Screening Rules. YESAB worked with a legislative drafter to amend the rules to incorporate the PSE process.
The scope of the review was limited to those amendments to the existing Screening Rules and any new rules required to implement PSE.
YESAB proposed amendments to Part 3 of the existing Screening Rules to establish the PSE process. Additional changes include several consequential amendments and the inclusion of an additional comment period during the screening of a proposed project.
Project Description Requirements have been developed and form a part of the proposed rules as set out in Schedule A and the Project Description Requirements document.
The YESAA requires that proposed rules be published in the Canada Gazette for a 60-day public review period before the rules can take effect.
The public review period took place between July 1 to September 30, 2021.
Project Description Requirements (English) 2021
Les règles proposées (En Français) 2021
Les exigences de description de projet (En Français) 2021
PSE Proposed Rules Summary Guide 2021
Pre-Submission Engagement – Background Documents 2018-2020
- PSE Information Session -Presentation (October 2020
- PSE Research Report (2020)
- PSE Participant Input Summary Report (2019)
- PSE Backgrounder (2018)
- PSE Framework Paper (2018)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the PSE process been developed?
The process has been developed in response to requests for better project-specific guidance on preparing project proposals and to meet expectations for earlier involvement of potentially affected First Nations, communities and the public in the in the assessment of complex or large-scale projects subject to a screening by the Executive Committee.
Does PSE apply to all projects?
Yes, Pre-submission engagement is required in all sectors and for all projects that require an Executive Committee (EC) screening.
The PSE process does NOT apply to Designated Office Evaluations or to projects that are referred to the Executive Committee by a Designated Office.
How is the PSE Process administered?
The Executive Committee administers the PSE process as set out in the Screening Rules. The EC will establish key elements of the process informed by the input of participants and operational requirements.
Does the process have timelines?
Yes. Timelines are set out in the Screening Rules.
Will the new process make the screening process longer?
No. PSE runs in parallel and informs project design and planning. The PSE process replaces the current ‘adequacy review’ period and ensures more focused project proposals that meet the information requirements of the Executive Committee for a project proposal.
Is the PSE Process as it applies to individual projects accessible to the public?
Yes. The PSE process is publicly accessible via YESAB’s On-Line Registry (YOR). There are also opportunities to provide comments on key document and information required for the project proposal. The public continues to have opportunities to comment on a project proposal during the screening process.
Contact us for more information
Heidi.Rumscheidt@yesab.ca
Policy Officer
Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board
(867) 668-6420
Suite 200 – 309 Strickland St.
Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2J9