Undertakings by the Federal Government are not subject to the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) establishes a process based on a federal statute for conducting Environmental Assessments (EAs) of projects involving the federal government. The CEAA is administered by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and applies to projects for which the federal government holds decision-making authority - whether as proponent, land administrator, a source of funding, or regulator. For additional information, refer to federal EAs. Some undertakings will require both provincial and federal approval.

The Canada-Ontario Agreement establishes administrative mechanisms and guides federal-provincial coordination for the environmental assessment of projects subject to both federal and provincial EA processes.

The agreement maintains the current level of environmental standards and the legislative and decision making responsibilities of both governments. While projects requiring both provincial and federal EA approvals will still require separate approvals, effective communication will be provided between parties with clear roles and responsibilities. Decisions will also be based on the same body of information and there will be an ability to coordinate the timing of announcements related to a proposed project.