Public Notice

Value Chain Solutions - Heartland Complex Expansion Project — Comment Period on the Draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Draft Public Participation Plan

What is happening?

April 16, 2021 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) is conducting an impact assessment for the proposed Value Chain Solutions - Heartland Complex Expansion Project. This project is located in Alberta's Industrial Heartland, about 18 kilometres northeast of Fort Saskatchewan.

As part of the planning phase in the impact assessment process, the Agency invites the public and Indigenous groups to review and provide feedback on the draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (draft Guidelines) and the draft Public Participation Plan (draft Plan).

The draft Guidelines outline the project-specific factors that will be considered in the assessment and provide direction to the proponent, Value Chain Solutions Inc., on the information and studies required in its Impact Statement. The draft Plan explains how the public will be engaged throughout the review process and provides details on how and when public participation opportunities will take place for each phase of the impact assessment.

The Agency recognizes it is more challenging to undertake meaningful public engagement and Indigenous consultation in light of the circumstances arising from COVID-19. The Agency continues to assess the situation, adjust consultation activities and provide flexibility as needed in order to prioritize the health and safety of all Canadians and conduct meaningful engagement with interested groups.

How can I participate?

Comments can be submitted online by visiting the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 81148). All comments received will be published online as part of the project file. The draft Guidelines and the draft Plan are also available on the Registry.

Written comments in either official language will be accepted until May 17, 2021.

For more information on the project, the review process and alternative means of submitting comments, visit the Agency's website at canada.ca/iaac.

Virtual Information Sessions

The Agency invites the public and Indigenous groups to attend one of the virtual information sessions on the project. These sessions will provide additional information on the project and the impact assessment process, and help participants learn how to effectively review and formulate comments on the draft documents.

May 4, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. MST (Session 1)
May 6, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. MST (Session 2)

More information on how to attend the virtual information sessions is available by contacting the Agency at IAAC.Heartland.AEIC@canada.ca or 780-495-2037.

Will there be more opportunities to participate?

This is the second federal comment period for the project. There will be other opportunities for the public and Indigenous groups to participate throughout the impact assessment process.

Follow us on Twitter: @IAAC_AEIC #HeartlandComplexExpansion

What is the proposed project?

Value Chain Solutions Inc. is proposing to expand its approved Heartland Project, a bitumen upgrader and refinery, located in Alberta's Industrial Heartland, about 18 kilometres northeast of Fort Saskatchewan. As proposed, the Value Chain Solutions – Heartland Complex Expansion Project would increase the facility's input capacity by three hundred percent, bringing its total capacity to 119,240 m3/day or 750,000 barrels/day. The project would include activities such as the expansion of a petroleum storage facility, construction of administration and control room buildings and supporting infrastructure with laydown areas and parking, construction of railway loops, connections and loading facilities, and the drilling of additional water disposal wells.

For more information on the Agency's privacy policies, consult the Privacy Notice on its website at canada.ca/iaac.

Document Reference Number: 41

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