Beyond Assessment: Shaping the Future of Assessment Through Innovation & Lifecycle Thinking
November 3rd & 4th, 2026
Virtual Options Available
Ontario Bar Association – 20 Toronto Street, 2nd Floor
Join us in shaping the future of Impact Assessment by submitting your innovative session proposals for the 2026 Conference!
OVERVIEW:
Impact assessment does not occur in isolation—it is shaped by decisions made throughout the project lifecycle and, in turn, influences how projects are designed, delivered, and operated. From early policy direction and planning, through design development, approvals, construction, and long-term operations, environmental assessment both responds to and informs project evolution.
This theme highlights the importance of life-cycle thinking in impact assessment, recognizing EA as a dynamic process that guides design choices, risk management, and implementation strategies, rather than a standalone regulatory milestone. It explores how policy frameworks, professional practice, and emerging technologies can be better integrated to support informed decision-making, improve coordination across disciplines, and strengthen long-term outcomes. By focusing on the full lifecycle, the conference emphasizes moving beyond assessment for compliance toward assessment as a tool for shaping resilient, implementable, and outcome-driven projects.
SUBMISSION LOGISTICS
- Deadline for Submission: July 7, 2026
- Submission Method: All abstracts must be submitted via the online portal.
- Abstract Length: Abstracts must be concise, between 250–350 words and note which Program Area you wish to present on.
- Presenter Information Submissions must include the presenter names and short professional bios (100 words maximum), primary contact information.
- Presentation Length: You will be required to select a presentation length – 15 min, 45 min, 90 min session.
- Format: Each submission must describe the session format.
Program Areas
We are looking for creative and dynamic conference sessions focused on the following three program areas. Please identify which of the following program areas you would like to present on.
Program Area 1 – Pre‑Assessment: Shaping Outcomes at the Project Inception
How early decisions set the trajectory for projects.
This program area explores the decisions, relationships, and planning frameworks that shape projects before a formal environmental assessment is launched. It recognizes that many of the most consequential choices for environmental, social, and Indigenous outcomes occur before a project begins—often outside the boundaries of the assessment itself.
Lifecycle lens: Strengthening the beginning of the project lifecycle to enable more focused assessments, better-informed decisions, and improved long-term outcomes.
Program Area 2 – Assessment Practices: Rebuilding Trust in the Assessment Process
What worked, what didn’t, and how the practice is evolving.
This program area explores the practice of environmental assessment as it unfolds in real time. Focusing not just on what is done, but how decisions are made, where approaches succeed or fall short, and how practitioners adapt in complex and uncertain contexts. Sessions should move beyond describing processes to critically reflect on experience: the tensions between competing priorities, the challenges of integrating diverse perspectives, and the role of technology and collaboration in shaping more meaningful outcomes.
Lifecycle lens: Strengthening the assessment phase to focus on repeatable, defendable and implementable decisions.
Program Area 3 – Post-Assessment in Practice: From Commitments to Outcomes
Turning assessment into action, and action into measurable results.
This program area explores how assessment commitments are translated into real-world outcomes. It highlights how mitigation measures are implemented in practice—examining what works, what doesn’t, and why—and how those insights can improve future design and delivery.
Lifecycle lens: Bridging the gap between assessment predictions to construction and operation phases of a project.
Indigenous-focused Program Area Note
Content for an Indigenous-focused program area is being developed separately from the general Call for Abstracts in collaboration with OAIA’s Indigenous Knowledge Committee. This approach is intended to help ensure that the program is thoughtfully developed and informed by Indigenous perspectives and experiences.
If you have ideas, suggestions, or contributions that you would like to be considered as part of this program area, please contact info@oaia.on.ca
Submission Priorities & Format
To maximize the chance of your abstract being accepted, please ensure your submission adheres to the following priorities:
- Session Format: The OAIA conference is prioritizing dynamic, interactive session formats that foster meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange. Preference will be given to submissions that go beyond traditional presentations with a singular perspective to include engaging elements such as panel discussions, audience interaction, hands-on learning, and collaborative formats.
- Diverse Perspectives: Submissions are strongly encouraged to include a range of voices, such as Indigenous proponents, contractors, owners, stakeholders, and practitioners.
- Lessons Learned: Abstracts should reflect on lessons learned from challenges, missteps, and course corrections, and demonstrate how those experiences informed decisions, shaped outcomes, and strengthened future practices.
- Full Lifecycle Focus: With the conference focusing on the full life-cycle of infrastructure projects, we encourage abstracts from individuals who are not traditionally involved in the assessment process, but whose work is influenced by impact assessments.
We look forward to reviewing your groundbreaking submissions that redefine assessment for the full project lifecycle.
Travel & Other Expenses
- All presenters must register and pay the registration fee. There are several registration options available.
- No reimbursement for travel costs will be made.
- In some instances, with prior arrangement with the conference organizing committee, some assistance may be available to offset some travel costs (Students, please refer to Ontario Impact Assessment Award – Student Bursary).
Selection Process
All proposals submitted to OAIA are subjected to a rigorous jury process. The first step of this process is a peer review of each proposal. Upon completion of the peer review process, the preliminary conference program will be drafted, and all submitters will be notified as to whether their submission has been accepted.
- The following criteria will be used by the selection committee:
– Applicability to the conference Program Area and session format.
– Scientific and technical merit - OAIA will respond to all submitters in early summer, to advise if your proposal has been accepted.
- If you are invited to proceed, you will be asked to register for Conference, join as an OAIA Member, and confirm your participation within two weeks of acceptance of your abstract.
- Where applicable, you will be asked to submit all electronic files related to your submission (e.g., PowerPoint presentations) no later than October 19, 2026.
