News Release
Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project — Public Comments Invited
June 1st, 2020 — Ottawa — Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) has accepted an initial project description for the proposed Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project, located on Tilbury Island, in Delta, British Columbia.
The unique circumstances arising from COVID-19 have presented challenges to the usual approaches of undertaking meaningful public engagement and Indigenous consultation. The Agency continues to assess the situation with key participants, adjust consultation and engagement activities, and provide flexibility as needed in order to prioritize the health and safety of all Canadians.
The Agency is now inviting the public and Indigenous groups to review the summary of the initial project description and provide feedback related to the proposed project. Comments received will support the Agency and British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) in the preparation of a joint Summary of Issues and Engagement for the project. Once completed, the joint Summary of Issues and Engagement will be provided to the proponent, FortisBC Holdings Inc., to inform the next steps in the process.
The project is subject to both the federal Impact Assessment Act and British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Act. As described in the Impact Assessment Cooperation Agreement Between Canada and British Columbia, the Agency and the EAO are working in cooperation for the initial phase of the project's review.
Public Comments Invited
Comments only need to be submitted once to either the Agency or the EAO to be considered in both the provincial and federal impact assessments.
The comment period will take place from June 1st to midnight Pacific Time on July 16, 2020.
Written comments in either official language can be submitted online by visiting the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 80496), or by visiting the EAO's website at projects.eao.gov.bc.ca.
Comments received by the Agency and the EAO will be published online.
Virtual open houses will take place during the public comment period.
Substitution Request
In addition, the Government of British Columbia has requested that the conduct of the federal impact assessment process be substituted to the province. This means if federal and provincial reviews are both required, and the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change decides the provincial process is an appropriate substitute for the federal process, the provincial government would conduct the impact assessment of the project on behalf of the Agency.
The Agency is also seeking comments from the public and Indigenous groups on this request.
For more information on the project, the federal review process and alternative means of submitting comments to the Agency, visit canada.ca/iaac.
Associated Links
- Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
- Impact Assessment Cooperation Agreement Between Canada and British Columbia (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
- Impact Assessment Process Overview (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
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Contacts
Media Relations
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
343-549-3870
iaac.media.aeic@canada.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @IAAC_AEIC #TilburyPhase2
Document Reference Number: 9