Robert F. Shaw, who had managed the construction of Expo 67, was the first Deputy Minister of the Environment. Environmental Assessment Federal environmental assessment began in 1973 out of a concern that federal bodies should take suitable measures to prevent or reduce pollution by taking environmental effects into account at an early stage of planning new federal projects, programs and activities. Environmental assessment is now seen as a powerful planning tool for ensuring that projects are compatible with a healthy, sustainable environment. Environmental assessment was discretionary until two decisions of the Federal Court of Canada in 1989 and 1990 dealing with environmental assessments of the Oldman and Rafferty-Alameda dam projects. The environmental Assessment and Review Process Guidelines Order of 1984 became a law of general application and assessment was no longer discretionary.
All projects receive an appropriate level of assessment based on their complexity.
The federal government undertakes annually about 6,600 environmental assessments of all types. More than 99 per cent are screenings. Since 1973, the federal government has referred more than 50 environmental assessment to a panel for public review. In January 1975, the Treasury Board authorized Environment Canada to enter into agreements with provinces to carry out water quality surveys. After a public inquiry, a Federal Water Policy released in November 1987 urged realistic pricing of municipal water supply, opposed large scale water exports, and called for public education on wise use of water.