Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) are a key analytical tool under the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals to support environmentally sustainable decision-making. The SEA supports the evaluation of the environmental effects of proposed policies, plans and programs submitted to a Minister or Cabinet for approval. VAC is better positioned to optimize the positive environmental effects of our policies, programs and plans by conducting preliminary SEA scans on new policies, programs and plans, and carrying out a full SEA to manage negative environmental impacts as required.
VAC has tools to support the preliminary scan and full SEA. Through this work, VAC will continue to ensure that our decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through the SEA process, while adhering to the Cabinet Directive.