Notice of Impact Assessment Decision with Reasons

Ottawa — November 2, 2021 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) has decided that an impact assessment is not required for the Waterloo Airport Runway Project (the Project) located in Ontario.

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 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
• comments received by the Agency from the public, Indigenous groups, federal authorities, and other jurisdictions in relation to the Project. These comments were reflected in the Summary of Issues.

The Strategic Assessment of Climate Change, released in July 2020, was deemed to be a strategic assessment conducted under section 95 of the IAA, and applies to designated projects under the IAA. Based on the information provided by the proponent, the Agency is of the view that the Project is unlikely to hinder the Government of Canada's ability to meet its commitments in respect of climate change.

The Agency is not aware of any other 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 within federal jurisdiction, potential adverse direct and incidental effects, and the adverse effects on the rights of Indigenous peoples due to the Project would be limited. 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 determined that an impact assessment under the IAA is not required.

For further information on this impact assessment decision, please contact waterloo@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.