Decision Statement
Issued under Section 54 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012

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Document Reference Number: 180

to
GNL Québec Inc.
c/o Tony Le Verger, President

345 des Saguenéens Street, Suite 210
Saguenay (Québec)
G7H 6K9

for the
Énergie Saguenay Project

Description of the Designated Project

GNL Québec Inc. is proposing the construction and operation of a natural gas liquefaction facility and export terminal located in the District of La Baie, in Saguenay City, Québec. The site of the project would be located near the Grande-Anse marine terminal (Port of Saguenay). The main infrastructures are the natural gas liquefaction facilities with a production capacity of 10.5 million tons per year, port infrastructures for marine tanker loading of liquefied natural gas (LNG), LNG storage tanks and support infrastructures. The wharf would be designed to accommodate vessels with a capacity of 100,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT). The maritime transport of LNG would take place on the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers. Between 140 and 165 shipments per year are expected. The operation would last between 25 and 50 years.

Conduct of the Environmental Assessment

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) conducted an environmental assessment of the Designated Project in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. The Agency commenced the environmental assessment on January 15, 2016 and submitted its report to me in my capacity as Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Decisions on Environmental Effects Referred to in Subsections 5(1) and 5(2) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012

In accordance with paragraphs 52(1)(a) and 52(1)(b) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, after considering the report of the Agency on the Designated Project and the implementation of mitigation measures that I consider appropriate, I have determined that the Designated Project:

  • is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects referred to in subsection 5(1) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012; and
  • is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects referred to in subsection 5(2) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.

In accordance with subsection 52(2) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, I referred to the Governor in Council the matter of whether those significant adverse environmental effects were justified in the circumstances.

In accordance with paragraph 52(4)(b) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, the Governor in Council decided that the significant adverse environmental effects that the Designated Project is likely to cause are not justified in the circumstances.

Issuance

This Decision Statement is issued in Ottawa, Ontario by :

<Original signed by>

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of the Environment

Date : February 7, 2022

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