Notice of Referral to Review Panel

Ottawa — November 3, 2021 — The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, has referred the impact assessment of the GCT Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project (the Project) to an independent review panel.

As per section 36 of the Impact Assessment Act, the Minister may refer the impact assessment of a project to a review panel if it is in the public interest to do so, by considering the following factors:

• the extent to which the effects within federal jurisdiction or the direct or incidental effects that the carrying out of the designated project may cause are adverse;
• public concerns related to those effects;
• opportunities for cooperation with any jurisdiction that has powers, duties or functions in relation to an assessment of the environmental effects of the designated project or any part of it; and
• any adverse impact that the designated project may have on the rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Reasons contributing to the decision to refer the assessment to a review panel include the consideration of potential adverse environmental effects on fish and fish habitat, aquatic species at risk, and migratory birds, as well as potential impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples. Other considerations include concerns expressed with respect to these potential effects and impacts by the public and Indigenous nations and the opportunity to cooperate with the province of British Columbia.

The Minister has chosen to issue the Notice of Referral to a Review Panel prior to the Notice of Commencement to provide greater certainty to participants and the proponent regarding next steps in the impact assessment and to facilitate coordination with the province of British Columbia.

For further information on this impact assessment, please contact:

GCT Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
160 Elgin St, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Telephone: 343-572-7144
Email: deltaport@iaac-aeic.gc.ca