Notice of Impact Assessment Decision with Reasons

Ottawa — April 24, 2020 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) has decided that an impact assessment is not required for the Prairie Lights Power Project (the Project) located in Alberta.

In accordance with subsection 16(2) of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the Agency has taken into account each of the following factors:

• the proponent's Detailed Project Description, and its response to the summary of relevant issues. The Agency is satisfied that, for the purpose of determining whether an impact assessment is required, the information provided by the proponent adequately characterizes the potential effects of the Project;
• the possibility that carrying out the Project may cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction or adverse direct and incidental effects;
• adverse impacts that the Project may have on the rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982; and
• the Agency received 18 comments from the public, Indigenous groups, and federal authorities in relation to the Project. These comments were reflected in the Summary of Issues.

The Agency is not aware of any relevant regional or strategic assessments, or any relevant studies conducted or plans prepared by another jurisdiction in respect of the region in which the Project would be located.

In light of the factors considered, the Agency is of the view that the potential adverse effects caused by the Project within federal jurisdiction, and the adverse effects on the rights of Indigenous groups, would be limited or sufficiently addressed by the proponent and do not warrant an impact assessment under the IAA. Potential adverse effects would be sufficiently addressed through existing legislative and regulatory frameworks and mitigation measures and commitments described by the proponent in the Detailed Project Description. As a result, the Agency has decided that an impact assessment under the IAA is not required.

For further information on this impact assessment decision, please contact:

Prairie Lights Power Project
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Suite 1145 - 9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4C3
Telephone: 780-495-2037
Fax: 780-495-2876
Email: iaac.prairielights.aeic@canada.ca