News Release
Pacific Future Energy Refinery Project — Environmental Assessment Referred to Review Panel

October 7, 2016 — Ottawa — The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced today the referral of the environmental assessment of the proposed Pacific Future Energy Refinery Project in British Columbia to an independent review panel.

The decision to refer the environmental assessment of the project to a review panel was made after considering its potential to cause significant adverse environmental effects and concerns expressed by the public and Indigenous groups in relation to those effects.

The Minister has set timelines for the environmental assessment of the project as follows:

  • The timeline for the review panel to be established (pre-panel phase) is 90 days (3 months) from the date of the referral of the project.
  • The timeline for the review panel to submit its report (panel phase) is 480 days (16 months) from the date of the establishment of the review panel.
  • The timeline for the Minister's decision statement to be issued (post-panel phase) is 150 days (5 months) from the date of the submission of the review panel's report.

The above timelines do not include the time the proponent, Pacific Future Energy Corporation, takes to complete its work or gather information required for the environmental assessment.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency invites the public to comment on which aspects of the environment may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment, as detailed in the draft Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines. Written comments received by November 7, 2016 will be considered.

The Agency is also making funding available to assist the public and Indigenous groups in participating in the environmental assessment. Applications received by November 7, 2016 will be considered.

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Media Relations

Caitlin Workman
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-938-9436

Anita Szerze
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
anita.szerze@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

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Document Reference Number: 8

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