Comprehensive Review

A part of the Canadian federal government’s Environmental Assessment process.  Projects may undergo a comprehensive study type of environmental assessment because it has been determined that they will likely have significant adverse environmental effects.

Examples of such projects include large-scale oil and natural gas developments, nuclear power developments, electrical-generation projects, industrial plants and certain projects in national parks and others.

Public and First Nations input must be considered in the decision.

Early on in the comprehensive study, the Minister of the Environment has to decide whether the project should continue to be assessed as a comprehensive study, or whether it should be referred to a mediator or review panel. If the Minister decides the project should continue as a comprehensive study, the project can no longer be referred to a mediator or review panel.

Sources:
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/010/basics_e.htm#comp