Towagh presents on Cumulative Effects at the 2026 IAIA Conference

Kwusen’s Director of Research Towagh Behr attended the Annual International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) Conference in Quebec City, QC from May 19th-22nd. Towagh joined a panel of other professionals in the field of impact assessment, including staff from the Gitxaała Territorial Management Agency and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

Towagh discussed the challenges Indigenous Nations face in Canadian Environmental Assessments (EA). Focusing on Kitsumkalum First Nation, which has its main community near Terrace, Towagh highlighted how development—including LNG and mining—has caused adverse cumulative impacts with few benefits. He noted that despite BC regulatory requirements for Cumulative Effects Assessments (CEA), EAs often fail to adequately address Indigenous Rights and community concerns.

Kitsumkalum-led assessments continue to show greater adverse effects than provincial and industry findings, which minimize impacts. This discrepancy stems from geopolitical pressure to fast-track EAs, extensions granted under outdated legislation, and scoping issues like project splitting. Consequently, regulatory decisions in the northwest of BC often fail to consider current cumulative effects data, and do not adequately acknowledge or mitigate the actual impacts on Indigenous communities.

It was also a pleasure for Towagh to see and connect with several representatives from organizations and First Nations that we work with, including the Fort McKay Métis Nation Sustainability Centre, Tahltan Central Government, Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, and Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

Towagh Behr presenting “Regional Effects Experienced Locally” at the IAIA Annual Conference in May 2026