January 5, 2026 - Indigenous Services Canada has determined that the proposed Nipissing First Nation - 20 Unit Subdivision Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge;
• community knowledge;
• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are: 

• Air Quality: Implementation of a dust plan including frequent watering by maintaining access to water truck, visual monitoring, and inspection; 
• Spills on-site: Equipment will be checked regularly, refueling of equipment and fuel storage will be conducted in designated areas with spill protection, spill kits to be on site, and the MECP SAC will be contacted if there is a spill; 
• Noise: Equipment will be used during daylight hours only; 
• Archaeological potential: If any relevant artifacts are uncovered, works would temporarily stop in those areas while an investigation occurs with first nation council and elders; Any human remains would be investigated by provincial and federal police forces;
• Erosion and Sediment Control: ESC measures such as installing silt fences and straw bale check dams will be installed. For any drainage channels or ditching, rip-rap will be used to prevent significant runoff;
• SAR species protection: Tree clearing activities will be conducted outside of the bird migratory, breeding, nesting and brood rearing period (occur from October to March). All work will halt if any migratory birds, nests, or young are located or discovered. Foraging habitat may be impacted for bat species and so, 10 bat box stations may be established along the construction site perimeter. Exclusionary fencing will be implemented by April 1st and remain in place until construction activities are complete. 

Indigenous Services Canada is satisfied that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Therefore, Indigenous Services Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.