Christie Cestra

In the rapidly evolving landscape of major infrastructure development, the traditional approach of environmental assessment is increasingly insufficient to meet the challenges of project delivery. The “decide-announce-defend” paradigm and other rigid, compliance-driven approaches no longer work, particularly for large-scale projects. To navigate the complexities of modern EA practice, we must shift toward inclusive approaches that prioritize early and authentic engagement. This session presents a model for building trust in the EA process by working with Indigenous communities as partners from a project's inception.

During the session, we will examine the transformative potential of partnerships along with lessons learned from recent practical experience. We will share how early involvement can establish a shared understanding of priorities before formal assessments are launched. We will also discuss the efficacy of maintaining continuous, multi-directional dialogue through regular meetings, workshops, and iterative reviews. No EA is without issues, and there is no silver bullet solution. Our aim is to provide a balanced discussion of the challenges and benefits encountered along the way.

Session Facilitator: Faiza Waheed, Intrinsik