The Canadian experience with SEA and sustainability

The project-specific nature of current environmental assessment (EA) practice is often seen as a constraint on accounting for sustainability. Sustainability will only be realized if consideration is given to the environment at all significant decision points; this includes decisions at the policy, plan and program (PPP) level. Strategic EA (SEA), the EA of proposed and existing PPP and their alternatives, is gaining widespread recognition as a supporting tool for decision making towards achieving sustainable development. This paper discusses some key principles and characteristics that should underpin the SEA process if SEA is to contribute to the design of more sustainable policies and strategies, and explores the current state-of-the-art of SEA in Canada.