Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) - Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Agreements with G7 Countries

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the bilateral agreements in science, technology, and innovation (STI) between Canada and G7 countries has been conducted.

The upcoming STI agreement between Canada and the United States provided the perfect opportunity to undertake this SEA. Recognizing an opportunity to broaden the scope, we undertook the process to ensure that environmental and climate change factors are incorporated into the design and negotiation of STI agreements with each G7 country, not just the United States.

Drawing on an independent expert analysis conducted by the Institute on Governance and a cross-government engagement session, we have developed a comprehensive tool containing principles and clauses that negotiators can use to align Canada's STI agreements with G7 countries with Canada's domestic and global environmental and climate change commitments.

The assessment found that by integrating some or all of the proposed principles and clauses into the science, technology, and innovation agreements between Canada and G7 countries, the Canadian government would enhance its reputation as a global leader in climate and environment. It would leverage an additional tool to fulfill its national and international commitments in this regard (e.g., the Paris Agreement, the G7 Pact for Nature by 2030, Bill C-12, etc.).

Over the next five years, Cabinet memos and Treasury Board submissions related to STI negotiations with G7 countries may reference the current SEA process and utilize the SEA tool for STI in Annex 1 to justify not undertaking a new SEA.