Impact Assessment and Mitigation Process (IAMP)

In 2015, the Québec Port Authority (QPA) set up an internal impact assessment process called the Environmental Citizen Participation Process (ECPP) to meet the requirements of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and to gain a better understanding of the environmental and social impacts generated by projects on the port territory. Since 2024, the QPA has implemented the IAMP, a new version of the process that meets current regulatory requirements while encouraging the active participation of citizens and affected First Nations.

What triggers the IAMP?

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  Any new project within the meaning of the IAA (except designated projects)

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  Any new activity that may have significant impacts on the environment and communities

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  Any change in land use

Project levels

The IAMP is based on the environmental risk of the projects, that is, the likelihood that they may cause significant negative environmental or social effects. Based on this analysis, the project will be evaluated differently by the QPA.

There are five project levels that reflect the level of risk assessed by the QPA team and based on rigorous predefined criteria.

• Level 0 Project has an negligible potential for adverse environmental and social effects
• Level 1 Project has a low potential for adverse environmental and social effects
• Level 2 Project has a moderate potential for adverse environmental and social effects
• Level 3 Project has a significant potential for adverse environmental and social effects
• Level urgent Project must be carried out in response to an emergency situation

Once the level has been determined by the QPA, a directive is then sent to the project applicant to indicate the steps to follow for the implementation or evaluation of their project. Level 3 (high impact) projects are automatically transferred to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, which terminates the IAMP.

What are the analysis deadlines?

Analysis times correspond to the complexity and significance of the anticipated impacts (level of risk). They range from a single day for projects considered as emergencies (within the meaning of the IAA, 2019) to 110 days for more complex level 2 projects.

To find out the expected analysis deadlines according to different risk levels, consult the detailed IAMP table.