Minister's Response

Date: August 26, 2020

Project:

CanPacific Potash is proposing to construct, operate and decommission a potash solution mine, operating over 24 751 hectares, with an estimated capacity of 3.25 million tonnes of potash per year for 70 years. The Project would be located approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Regina, Saskatchewan within the Regional Municipality of Lajord and Francis, and within CanPacific Potash's KL 262 potash lease.

Decision:

Non-designated project.

Reasons:

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has considered the potential for the Project to cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, adverse direct or incidental effects, public concern related to these effects, as well as adverse impacts on the Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. The Minister also considered the analysis of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

The Minister has reached the decision that the designation of the Project is unwarranted for the following reasons:

  • The Project has undergone an environmental assessment by the province of Saskatchewan under the Environmental Assessment Act and received approval on August 27, 2019, for the plant site, facilities, and priority well field. The Approval includes terms and conditions designed to promote the elimination and control of adverse environmental effects associated with the development.
  • Any potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, and related concerns, are expected to be appropriately managed by legislative mechanisms, such as the review of any Application for Authorization under the Fisheries Act; compliance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Species at Risk Act; and the provincial regulatory processes.

Additional Notes:

The Saskatchewan Minister of Environment's decision regarding the Project is available at: https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/106121

Document Reference Number: 2

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