About This Project

There are many limitations to Canada's environmental assessment processes, one example being the lack of social dimensions. I am interested in advancing environmental assessment, monitoring, and responses given the various regulatory and governance frameworks in place. This project will contribute to achieving social and ecological sustainability, at the watershed scale, through long term and effective strategic planning by engaging with a diverse set of experts and key stakeholders.

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What is the context of this research?

There are currently many threats facing freshwater systems, which provide ecosystem services valued by local stakeholders, due to land-use change resulting from human behaviour and accelerated development. Environmental assessment procedures in Canada aim to mitigate these negative effects, but in order achieve this, social dimensions need to be considered in the EA process (Mitchell & Parkins, 2011; Sheelaneere et al., 2013; Jones, 2016).

This project will explore the barriers and opportunities to more effectively consider social dimensions into environmental assessment (EA) in Canada leading to increased sustainability of freshwater systems.

What is the significance of this project?

Social dimensions (i.e., wellbeing and governance settings) are important to consider from the onset of the proposed development plan, project or program. This helps ensure that local community perspectives and wellbeing considerations are taken into account as well as ensuring appropriate governance structures are in place. Currently, there is some urgency in the environmental assessment literature to determine the appropriate governance and institutional settings for catalyzing the advancement of EA processes in Canada and implementing them more holistically (i.e., spatially, temporally, and socially) and effectively.

This research will address the current gap in the environmental assessment literature, by providing a unified framework for practitioners, proponents and authorities.

What are the goals of the project?

My research specifically focuses on how to incorporate social dimensions (e.g., socio-economic, health, equity, institutional settings and regulatory instruments, broader spatial and temporal scales) into environmental assessment, monitoring and responses in Canada, e.g. cumulative effects.

I will explore the decision making and governance processes involved two case studies in order to gain insight into how to best determine the current barriers to considering/incorporating human dimensions into EA (i.e. institutional barriers, power dynamics, etc.). Additionally, I will identify opportunities to support more holistic environmental assessment, monitoring, and responses, such as regional strategic environmental assessment and cumulative effects.

Budget

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The budget outlined here will be used to collect key informant data by conducting semi structured interviews in 1 of 2 case studies in 2017-2018. Additional funding will be needed to perform interviews in the second case study. The chosen case studies will be at the watershed scale where a natural resource development project has been proposed (pre-development) and during or after a natural resource development (post-development) project, plan or program has taken place.

Among the cases being considered for pre-development are James Bay Lowlands in Northern Ontario (Ring of Fire) and the Pacific NorthWest in British Columbia (Natural Gas Pipeline). For post-development cases, there is currently opportunity and interest in Northern Alberta (Oil extraction) as well as in Eastern Canada (Coastal development and transport). Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) will be used to analysis the interview transcripts and perform an in-depth case analysis.

Endorsed by

Sondra, you have my endorsement on this project hands-down. This is a fantastic opportunity for watershed authorities across North America to better understand the integration of various management methods - most of which are used in segregation and without meaningful communication across stakeholders. I look forward to watching this project progress!

Elaine Ho

Doctoral student, PMP, EPt, MES, Hons. BES, Dip. EA

University of Waterloo; Canadian Water Network; Canadian Rivers Institute

Sondra, you have my endorsement. I believe your project will answer critical questions in this field of study, and it will be very beneficial towards watershed management and implementing effective practices. I look forward to seeing your results!

Nicole Stamnes

MES Candidate

University of Waterloo

Sondra, this sounds like a great project! I believe it will contribute knowledge to an important field and benefit communities. Skills you have gained through previous projects will be a valuable asset. I look forward to watching your project progress.

Stephanie Barr

PhD Student

University of Waterloo

Sondra, this project excites me and you have my endorsement. The aspects and areas that this project addresses are essential moving forward in terms of bridging the gap between environmental sustainability and political involvement. The need for increased environmental assessment to facilitate an opening of dialogue between environmental scientists and politicians will be a key contributing factor in environmental sustainability and growth moving forward.

John George Chornell

Graduate in Political Science

University of Alberta

This is a critical and urgent study to incorporate human dimensions into environmental assessment processes. Given the timely nature of the proposed study and Sondra’s exceptional talent, I am confident that the completion of this project will improve the quality of life of our society.

Ali Ahmadi

Assistant Professor

University of Prince Edward Island

It's a pleasure to endorse your project Sondra. There is a huge and pressing opportunity right now to better incorporate cumulative effects assessment, monitoring and management into how we make decisions that impact water in Canada. Your research addresses this head-on.

Simon Courtenay

Professor

University of Waterloo

After many years of debate there is a growing consensus that the management of the environment is inseparable from the people that depend upon it. This research on cumulative effects assessment presents an opportunity to avoid the mistakes of the past in neglecting people, their interests and values and placing them at the centre of emergent cumulative effects assessments. Sondra's diverse skills and experience make her the ideal person to undertake this research.

Graham Epstein

Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Waterloo

Meet the Team

Sondra Eger

Doctoral Student

Affiliates

Canadian Rivers Institute, Canadian Water Network, OceanCanada Partnership

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Team Bio

My research fits into a wider scope of improving both social and biophysical dimensions of cumulative effects processes in Canada. I am currently collaborating with colleagues at the University of Waterloo in the Courtenay Lab, as well as with broader research groups and industry partners.

Sondra Eger

I am currently enrolled in a Social and Ecological Sustainability PhD program within the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability (SERS). I have a Masters of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and A Bachelor of Science from the University of British Colombia.

I am a passionate person who enjoys facilitating connections and collaborations between individuals and organizations to assist in protecting natural ecosystems. I love being outside and connecting with nature through travelling, hiking, scuba diving, camping, sailing, and nature/wildlife photography.

I am involved in a variety of University of Waterloo, national and local organizations including being a member and young professional of the following organizations: Canadian Rivers Institute, Canadian Water Network, OceanCanada Partnership, SWIGS (Students of the Water Institute Graduate section), IUCN World Commission of Protected Areas (WCPA)- Young Professionals group (North American Focal Point and co- leader of the Freshwater group), and a part of the #NatureForAll team (a Parks Canada initiative).