Reasons for Determination

Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia

Following consideration of advice from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, I have decided to proceed with a regional assessment of offshore wind development in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia pursuant to the Impact Assessment Act, for the following reasons:

• The regional assessment could inform future federal impact assessment decisions as offshore wind developments are described under Section 44 of the Physical Activities Regulations;
• There is the potential for offshore wind development activities offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia to result in effects within federal jurisdiction, including cumulative effects;
• There are opportunities for collaboration with Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia;
• There is the potential for offshore wind development activities offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia to result in impacts, including cumulative impacts, to the rights of Indigenous people;
• There has been public interest related to offshore wind development and its potential effects (including cumulative effects);
• There are no known existing or planned initiatives outside of a regional assessment would adequately address the need and objectives outlined above; and,
• The regional assessment can be conducted using the resources that are available to the Agency.

Given the above considerations, I have asked the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to commence with a planning exercise for the regional assessment.

Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change