Public Participation Plan
Crawford Nickel project
Document Reference Number: 93
March 31, 2023
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Description of the proposed Project
- 3. Objectives of public participation
- 4. Identification of participants
- 5. Public participation tools
- 6. Activities and public participation approach
- 7. Participant funding
- 8. How to submit comments
- Appendix 1
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 section 16 of the Impact Assessment Act (the IAA).
The Public Participation Plan (the Plan) was developed by the Agency to set out opportunities for participation during the impact assessment process. It is intended to be flexible and does not preclude the Agency from making changes to the approaches described in this Plan in order to accommodate changes that may occur during the assessment.
For additional information about how the Agency implements meaningful public participation, please refer to the Framework: Public Participation under the Impact Assessment Act and Guidance: Public Participation under the Impact Assessment Act. An Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan is also available, outlining Indigenous engagement opportunities and approaches.
2. Description of the proposed Project
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.
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 website (the Registry) at https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/83857?culture=en-CA.
3. Objectives of public participation
The Plan outlines the various ways participants can provide input and participate in the process. The Agency objectives for public participation are as follows:
- Public participation is meaningful. This means that the public is provided with:
- opportunities to take part in the impact assessment;
- the information they need to participate; and
- the capacity to participate in an informed manner.
- The public is engaged early and often, particularly at each key stage of the impact assessment process.
- The public brings forward key issues to the Agency and the proponent early in the process to inform the proponent's Impact Statement.
- The public is involved in the development or revision of key documents, such as this Plan, the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines, the proponent's Impact Statement, the Agency's draft Impact Assessment Report and potential conditions, and potential amendments to the Decision Statement should amendments be required.
- Activities are coordinated with other jurisdictions involved in the assessment, where possible.
- Participation opportunities are designed taking into account the diverse needs and interests of various participants. Opportunities include, but are not limited to: public comment periods, and in-person or virtual information sessions or engagement events at key phases of the process.
- The Agency informs the proponent about the concerns raised by the participants.
- Public views heard throughout the process are tracked and inform decision-making.
4. Identification of participants
The Agency has compiled a list of communities, associations and other stakeholders that may have an interest in this project's impact assessment. The list was informed by participants in the Planning Phase for the Project; participants identified in documents provided by the proponent; and participants identified by the Agency in proximity to the Project with potential interest or technical knowledge relevant to the impact assessment.
The Agency will maintain a distribution list for those identified above, throughout the impact assessment. The Public Participation Plan distribution list can be found in Appendix 1. Participants on the distribution list will receive updates and notices about the Project's impact assessment as the process unfolds.
If you or your organization would like to be added to this list, please use the "Submit a Comment" function on the Registry's project page (https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/83857?culture=en-CA) or send an email to Crawford@iaac-aeic.gc.ca and request to be added to the Public Participation Plan distribution list.
Please consult the Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan for a list of the Indigenous communities that are identified for engagement as part of the impact assessment of the Project.
5. Public participation tools
The Agency has identified a series of tools to ensure meaningful participation throughout the impact assessment process:
- Opportunities to apply for funding under the Participant Funding Program (https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/public-participation/funding-programs/participant-funding-program.html) to support the public in participating in the impact assessment process;
- Public notice(s) in plain language on the Registry website and published in newspapers, news websites, and radio broadcasts that provide information and updates on the impact assessment process, announce public participation opportunities, objectives of comment periods and funding opportunities;
- Emails in plain language to the Public Participation Plan distribution list that provide information and updates on the impact assessment process, announce public participation opportunities, objectives of comment periods, and funding opportunities;
- Social media updates (e.g., the Agency's Twitter Feed: @IAAC_AEIC #CrawfordNickel) that provide information and updates on the impact assessment process, announce public participation opportunities, and funding opportunities;
- Interactive community information sessions to learn more about the Project, the impact assessment process and how to submit comments (presentations, with question and answer sessions and/or workshops to be held virtually or in-person);
- Summaries of key documents, fact sheets, infographics, and audio-visual materials in plain language and in an accessible format;
- Public comment periods at key stages of the process;
- Registry website to post written comments at key public comment periods, and throughout the process; and
- Free training opportunities for people involved directly in impact assessmentsFootnote 1.
6. Activities and public participation approach
The following table provides a description of the main phases in the impact assessment process, and an outline of Agency-led engagement opportunities in each phase, as well as events planned by the proponent (to the extent known). The table describes the objectives of each phase, the anticipated engagement activities that will be used, and the public participation tools that will support the engagement activities. The type of engagement activities (virtual or in-person) will be announced at each opportunity.
Expected Agency activities |
Expected public participation/activities |
Engagement method |
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Phase 1: Planning Objectives
Timeline: 180 days (excluding any timeline suspension) |
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Phase 2: Impact Statement Objectives:
Timeline: up to 3 years (excluding any timeline extension) |
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Phase 3: Impact Assessment Objectives
Timeline: Up to 300 days (excluding any timeline extension) |
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Phase 4: Decision Objectives
Timeline: Up to 30 days, if the determination is made by the Minister, or up to 90 days if the Minister refers the determination to Governor in Council (excluding any timeline extension) |
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Phase 5: Post-Decision Objectives: if the project is approved
Timeline: Begins after the Decision Statement is issued, and then is ongoing |
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* All comments received throughout Agency-led engagement and consultation activities will be made publicly available on the Project's Registry website at https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/83857?culture=en-CA. A summary of comments received will also be included in the Impact Assessment Report.
7. Participant funding
Funding to support public participation in the impact assessment process is available. For information about the activities that are eligible for funding or to apply for funding please see the Funding Programs guidelines: https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/public-participation/funding-programs.html.
You can contact the Agency's Funding Programs for more information:
Telephone: 1-866-582-1884
Email: fp-paf@iaac-aeic.gc.ca
8. How to submit comments
You can submit comments at any time during the impact assessment process by using the "Submit a Comment" function on the Registry website's project page (https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/83857?culture=en-CA). Attachments can also be uploaded using this function.
If you have any difficulties with the submission process, please contact the Agency, using the contact information below. Comments may also be submitted through other means, including by email to Crawford@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.
Comments and other documents received by the Agency will be part of the project file and will be posted on the Registry website. The Agency's Submission Policy determines what information can be shared publicly and what information should remain private. For more information on how we protect your privacy, please refer to the Agency's Privacy Notice. If you do not want your comment to be posted on the Registry website, please contact the Agency before submitting your comment.
If you have questions or need information, please contact:
Crawford Nickel Project
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Ontario Regional Office
Crawford@iaac-aeic.gc.ca
Appendix 1
Public Participation Plan Distribution List
Municipalities
- Black River-Matheson (Township of)
- Cochrane (Town of)
- Iroquois Falls (Town of)
- Smooth Rock Falls (Town of)
- Timmins (City of)
Educational institutions
- Algoma University
- Collège Boréal
- Northern College
- Université de Hearst
Social services and healthcare organizations
- Cochrane District Social Planning Council
- Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board
- Ellevive
- Ininew Friendship Centre
- MICs Group of Health Services
- Porcupine Health Unit
- Smooth Rock Falls Hospital
- Temiskaming Native Women's Support Group
- Timmins and Area Women in Crisis
- Timmins Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee
- Timmins and District Hospital
- Timmins Native Friendship Centre
- Timmins Opioid Emergency Response Task Force
Employment and skills training
- Abitibi Institute
- Far North East Training Board
- NORCAT
Commerce and economic development
- Black River-Matheson Chamber of Commerce
- Cochrane Board of Trade
- Iroquois Falls and District Chamber of Commerce
- Smooth Rock Falls Economic Development Corporation
- Timmins Chamber of Commerce
- Timmins Economic Development Corporation
- Venture Center (The)
Community groups and organizations
- Cochrane Local Citizens Committee
- Fierte Timmins Pride
- Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre
- Timmins and District Multicultural Centre
- Timmins Community Development Committee
- Timmins Local Citizens Committee
Recreation, cottage, and tourism
- Big Water Campground
- Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association (FOCA)
- Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO)
- Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Zone C
- Polar Bear Riders (Cochrane) Snowmobile Club
- Timmins Fur Council
- Timmins Snowmobile Club
Environment and wildlife
- Canadian Environmental Law Association
- Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed
- Mattagami Region Conservation Authority
- Mining Watch Canada
- Northern Claybelt Complex Conservation Reserve
- Northwatch
- Ontario Nature
- Ontario Rivers Alliance
- Wildlands League
- Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada
Energy, mining and forestry
- Abitibi River Forest Management Inc.
- Boralex
- Glencore Kidd Mine
- H2O Power
- Ontario Power Generation
Tribal councils
- Algonquin Anishinabe Nation Tribal Council
- Mushkegowuk Council
- Wabun Tribal Council