—once the agency has received a project description from a proponent and we review that to make a determination on whether to require an EA or not. If an EA is not required, that does not take away the legal duty to consult if the federal crown is contemplating conduct. Similarly, the 20 days is a new consultation period; it didn't exist under the old act. We're trying to open it up to the public and to aboriginal groups earlier than what has occurred under the old CEAA.
We also, as the federal authority that helps deliver on the legal duty to consult, endeavour to contact potentially affected aboriginal groups and give them as much advance notice as possible. Where practicable, that may involve contact even before that formal project description phase.