Notice of Early Decision with Reasons

Ottawa — January 19, 2026 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has conducted an assessment of the Matane Port Facilities Expansion Project and decided at an early stage that no further assessment is required for the project proposed by the Société portuaire du Bas-Saint-Laurent et de la Gaspésie (the proponent), located in Quebec.

In accordance with subsection 16(2) of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), IAAC considered each of the following factors:

• the Initial Project Description (French only), and the Response to the Summary of Issues (French only), as submitted by the proponent pursuant to sections 10 and 15 of the IAA;

• the adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, or the direct or incidental adverse effects, that may be caused by the carrying out of the project;
• adverse impacts that the project may have on the rights of Indigenous Peoples of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
• comments received by IAAC from the public, Indigenous Peoples and federal authorities in relation to the project, as reflected in the Summary of Issues;
• any relevant assessment referred to in section 92, 93 or 95 of the IAA; and,
• whether a means other than an impact assessment exists that would permit a jurisdiction to address the adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, and the direct or incidental adverse effects, that may be caused by the carrying out of the project.

IAAC is satisfied that the carrying out of the project may cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction or direct or incidental adverse effects. In light of the factors considered, IAAC is of the view that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, or direct or incidental adverse effects, from the project would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial legislative and regulatory frameworks. This includes but is not limited to the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Safe Food for Canadians Act, as well as Quebec's Environment Quality Act, the Threatened or Vulnerable Species Act, the Conservation and development of wildlife Act and the Conservation of wetlands and water environments in Quebec Act.

As a result, IAAC decided that no further assessment under the IAA is required for the project. Decisions like these ensure that Canada's impact assessment process is efficient by determining at an early stage whether a further assessment is required or not.

For further information on the federal impact assessment process, please contact information@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.