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Major Projects Management Office Initiative September 2009. Overview. Context Mandate and Objectives Definition of a Major Resource Project Roles and Responsibilities Key Elements of the MPMO Initiative Key Outcomes. Context. The regulatory system is under pressure. Capacity Constraints
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Overview • Context • Mandate and Objectives • Definition of a Major Resource Project • Roles and Responsibilities • Key Elements of the MPMO Initiative • Key Outcomes
Context The regulatory system is under pressure • Capacity Constraints • High demand and strong commodity prices resulted in significant growth in the number of major resource projects over the past 5 years • $300 Billion in planned investments over the next 5+ years • System Constraints • Complex regulatory system, unpredictable processes • Major projects often subject to both federal and provincial reviews • More intensive Aboriginal consultation responsibilities • Many departments, agencies focused on their specific issues • No one was looking at how the pieces fit together or managing the system
Mandate Mandate of the Major Projects Management Office • Dual mandate: • To enhance the accountability, transparency and predictability of the federal regulatory system • To lead collaborative research and policy analysis on short-, medium- and longer-term initiatives to further improve the performance of the regulatory system, such as legislative options • The MPMO mandate is limited to projects south of 60
Objectives Objectives of the Major Projects Management Office • Key objectives: • Enhance competitiveness by improving predictability and timeliness of review process • Ensure the regulatory system and strengthens environmental and social considerations • Fulfill Aboriginal consultation responsibilities in a more consistent and meaningful manner • Provide focal point for system improvements • Enhance the accountability, transparency and predictability of the federal regulatory system.
Definition of a Major Resource Project • Major resource projects (MRP) are large-scale natural resource developments • e.g. mining, nuclear, oil and gas, hydro projects • Projects must be subject to one of the following environmental assessments under CEAA: • Panel review • Comprehensive study • Screening (large or complex multi-jurisdictional)
Roles/responsibilities MPMO represents a new approach to doing business • Single point of entry for Proponents • Establish service standards • Develop Project Agreements (PAs) • Ensure Aboriginal consultation responsibilities are integrated into the regulatory process • Track and monitor progression of projects
Key elements Early engagement • Facilitate an effective/efficient federal review • Prepare for potential federal roles/responsibilities • Foster communication between Proponent and federal departments/agencies • Clarify information requirements
Key elements Project Description (PD) Guide was developed to prepare a PD for MRP to ease entering the Federal Review Process by: • Determine information needed to commence an EA • Start Federal Coordination Regulation process • Post Notice of Commencement • Determine the preliminary scope and type of EA
Key elements Project Agreements (PA) Best effort commitment by DMs to foster the cooperation of their respective departments. • Signed by DMs • Clarify federal roles and responsibilities • Increase accountability and transparency • Provide foundation for project tracking and quality management • Service Standards/Timeline • Project Agreement Phase: 3 month target • Screenings: 12 -15 month target • Comprehensive Studies: 24 month target • Review Panels: 17 month target
Key elements Regulatory Timelines and Service Standards Predicated on proponents submitting adequate regulatory applications during the EA phase
Key elements Aboriginal Engagement/Consultation responsibilities MPMO Initiative will: • Coordinate the one-window approach • Identify key roles and responsibilities • Develop an Aboriginal Engagement/Consultation Work Plans • Integrate the information into the PAs • Integrate records management Proponents should: • Be Proactive – benefits to engaging early • Document the Consultation Process • Refer to available documents
Key elements Executive Management Accountability/Oversight • Regular reports to Ministers and Deputy Ministers • DM Major Projects Committee resolves project-related issues and provides executive oversight
Key elements Transparent Tracking and Monitoring • Publicly-accessible • Timelines based on the PAs
Key Outcomes • High quality assessments of environmental and socio-economic effects of resource development • More predictable, accountable and timely regulatory review process • More consistent, adequate and meaningful Aboriginal consultations