Minister's Response – Baldwin East Aerodrome Project

Physical Activities

Sutton Airport Development Inc. is proposing to construct and operate a new aerodrome in the Town of Georgina, Ontario. As proposed, the Baldwin East Aerodrome Project (the physical activities referred to as the Project) would include two paved, all-weather, marked, and lighted runways that would have maximum lengths of 893 and 991 metres, respectively, and would be capable of serving a maximum of Aircraft Group Number II. The Project would also include a clubhouse building, an aircraft hanger and supporting use development lots, aerodrome access roads, and storm water and sewage management systems.

Decision

The Project does not warrant designation.

Reasons

Pursuant to section 9 of the Impact Assessment Act, I, Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, considered the potential for the Project to cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, adverse direct or incidental effects, public concerns related to these effects, as well as adverse impacts on the Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples. In forming my opinion, I took into account the analysis of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

I am of the opinion that the designation of the Project is unwarranted for the following reasons:

  • The Project must be carried out in compliance with applicable federal, provincial, and municipal legislative mechanisms. The requirements under the following legislative mechanisms, and related consultations with potentially impacted Indigenous peoples, provide a framework to address the, aforementioned, potential adverse effects and impacts, and concerns raised by Indigenous peoples and members of the public:
    • federal legislation such as the Aeronautics Act and the associated Canadian Aviation Regulations; the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999; the Fisheries Act; the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994; the Species at Risk Act;
    • provincial legislation, as applicable, such as the Clean Water Act, 2006; the Conservation Authorities Act; the Endangered Species Act, 2007; the Environmental Protection Act; the Greenbelt Act, 2005; the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008; the Ontario Heritage Act; and the Ontario Water Resources Act; and
    • municipal legislation, as applicable, such as Town of Georgina's site alteration By-Law No. 2022-0038 (REG-1); and Town of Georgina's noise By-Law No. 2003-0075 (PWE-1).
  • The Project would also be subject to permits and approvals under the Ontario Water Resources Act; the Town of Georgina's site alteration By-Law No. 2022-0038 (REG-1); and Town of Georgina's noise By-Law No. 2003-0075 (PWE-1).

Document Reference Number: 3

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