Public participation in the environmental assessment process helps to ensure that community values and public goals for community development are considered in project planning and decision-making.

After all, projects that are subject to an environmental assessment may have the potential to impact a community or a region. Public participation provides a means for proponents to learn about and incorporate local information, priorities and concerns into a project's design. You can get involved by:

• participating in public meetings, open houses, and other public forums arranged by the proponent and/or the EAO;
• reviewing the draft terms of reference for an application for an environmental assessment certificate and submitting comments (e.g. issues and concerns) to the EAO, during a public comment period; and
• reviewing the application and submitting comments (e.g. issues and concerns) to the EAO, during a public comment period.