WHEREAS the BC Health Officers Council is calling for Health Impact Assessments to be carried out as part of all Environmental Assessments conducted in the province: Therefore be it resolved that a Health Impact Assessment must be considered for all reviewable projects under the BC Environmental Assessment Act, and that a complete HIA be performed and provincially funded as part of the project review process; And be it further resolved that the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Assessment Office work with the Health Officers Council and UBCM to develop the necessary guidance documents to support the implementation of HIA in the assessment of reviewable projects.
Environmental Assessment Office The BC Environmental Assessment Office EAO manages the assessment of the potential environmental, economic, social, heritage and health effects that may occur as a result of proposed major projects. Some projects are also subject to federal environmental assessments. EAO sets the requirements for environmental assessments on a project-by-project basis, and project proponents conduct and fund the required studies. Human health risk assessments are commonly conducted as part of environmental assessments. EAO works with technical experts from provincial and federal government agencies to assist in setting the requirements and reviewing studies conducted by proponents. Agencies may include Provincial Health Authorities, Ministry of Health, BC Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada and BC Ministry of Environment. EAO is agreeable to working with other parties to support a consistent approach to health impact assessment across the province.