Cooperation Plan
Crawford Nickel Project

PDF Version 604 KB

Document reference number: 94

March 31, 2023

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Project description
• 3. Approach to cooperation
• 4. Gathering and review of proponent information
• 5. Timelines and time management
• 6. Sharing of information
• 7. Public participation
• 8. Indigenous consultation and engagement
• 9. Decision statement
• 10. Interpretation
• 11. Contact information
• Appendix 1
• Appendix 2

1. Introduction

On January 5, 2023, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) announced that an impact assessment is required for the Crawford Nickel Project (the Project), pursuant to subsection 16(1) of Canada's Impact Assessment Act.

Aspects of the Project are also subject to various class environmental assessments (Class EAs) pursuant to Ontario's Environmental Assessment Act, and to various provincial permitting and approval requirements that include an assessment of environmental effects.

This Plan was developed by the Agency with input from Ontario ministries and relevant organizations^Footnote 1 to set out intentions and plans for a cooperative assessment process for the Project. The provincial ministries and organizations participating in the impact assessment are included in the Appendix and are herein referred to as "participating ministries".

This Plan is intended to be flexible and does not preclude the Agency and participating ministries from modifying the cooperative approach described in this Plan in order to accommodate changes that may occur during the assessment process.

2. Project description

Canada Nickel Company (the proponent) is proposing the construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of an open-pit nickel-cobalt mine and on-site metal mill, located 43 kilometres north of Timmins, Ontario. As proposed, the Project would have a mine ore production capacity of 275,000 tonnes per day and a mill ore input capacity of 120,000 tonnes per day. The Project would operate for about 43 years.

The Project includes a mine site with mining infrastructure, relocation of provincial Highway 655 and an existing 500 kilovolt transmission line, a new 20 kilometre rail spur, and one or more effluent discharge pipes.

For more information on the impact assessment of the Crawford Nickel Project or to view the information and comments received, visit the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Public Registry) at https://www.iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/83857.

3. Approach to cooperation

Through cooperation, the Agency and participating ministries will strive to increase efficiency and certainty for all participants, including the proponent, the public, and Indigenous communities, by sharing information and expertise, coordinating activities, and harmonizing timelines where possible.

The following table outlines potential opportunities for cooperation, subject to proponent timelines for planning and design decisions, and sequencing of approvals.

4. Gathering and review of proponent information

The following table identifies the factors to be considered by both the Agency and participating ministries where there exist opportunities for cooperation to facilitate the exchange of information and expert advice and reduce duplication.

The Agency has prepared Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines that set out the information required of the proponent in the Impact Statement. General information requirements for the provincial Class EAs and provincial permitting and approvals are available at https://www.ontario.ca/page/environment-and-energy (see Table 1 of this document).

The Agency and participating ministries may participate in technical working groups with the proponent, Indigenous communities, federal expert departments, and community groups, as appropriate.

5. Timelines and time management

The Agency and participating ministries have agreed to undertake their respective assessment processes in a cooperative manner such that government review and comment period on the Impact Statement and any Environmental Study Reports for Class EAs are coordinated, where possible.

Participating ministries are also invited to align government review and engagement on permits and approvals with the Agency's comment period on the draft Impact Assessment Report and potential conditions, where suitable.

This Plan recognizes that the alignment of respective timelines is subject to the legislative obligations prescribed in the Impact Assessment Act and relevant provincial legislation, as well as the completeness of any information submitted by the proponent.

The Agency will provide the participating ministries listed in Table A1 in the Appendix with advanced notices of opportunities for cooperation. The Agency will also ensure that timely and effective communication occurs throughout the impact assessment process.

6. Sharing of information

The Agency and participating ministries will share, as appropriate, the following information obtained during the assessment of the Project on matters identified in Table 2:

• expert advice received;
• existing studies and information;
• comments received through engagement and consultation;
• information received from the proponent (e.g. technical submissions, responses to deficiency reports); and
• provincial regulatory, policy or other instruments and measures that could manage potential adverse effects of the Project (i.e. complementary measures), and regulatory decision criteria.

The Agency and participating ministries will respect requirements related to privacy and protection, including protection of Indigenous knowledge, when sharing or publicly posting information.

7. Public participation

The Agency and participating ministries plan to have a coordinated comment period on the proponent's Impact Statement and any Environmental Study Reports for Class EAs, if possible.

For further information on public participation and engagement activities, please see the Project's Public Participation Plan.

8. Indigenous consultation and engagement

The Agency will lead Crown Consultation on behalf of the Government of Canada for this federal impact assessment, while the proponent and participating ministries will be responsible for Crown consultation for provincial decisions.

For further information on the Agency's Indigenous Consultation and Engagement activities, please see the Project's Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan.

9. Decision statement

The Agency will consult with participating ministries regarding proposed conditions related to decisions and any relevant complementary measures, to facilitate consistency and improve regulatory efficiencies.

10. Interpretation

This Plan is not a legal document and does not change any existing federal, provincial, or municipal legislative or regulatory jurisdiction, right, power, privilege, prerogative or immunity by virtue, nor does it create any new legal powers, duties or legally binding obligations.

11. Contact information

The Agency office designated for administering the impact assessment of the Project is:

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Ontario Regional Office
Email: Crawford@iaac-aeic.gc.ca

Appendix 1

Appendix 2