Ontario Pumped Storage Hydropower Project

Cooperation Plan
Ontario Pumped Storage Hydropower Project

PDF Version 354 KB

Document reference number: 352

September 1, 2026

Table of Contents

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

1. Introduction

On May 29, 2026, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) determined that an impact assessment (IA) is required for the Ontario Pumped Storage Hydropower Project (the project), pursuant to section 16(1) of the Impact Assessment Act.

Aspects of the project may be subject to the provincial Class Environmental Assessment for Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects (RSFD Class EA) and the Class EA for Transmission Facilities pursuant to Ontario's Environmental Assessment Act, and to various provincial permitting and approval requirements that include an assessment of environmental effects.

The Cooperation Plan (the plan) was developed by IAAC with input from Ontario ministries and regulatory agencies^Footnote 1 (herein referred to as "participating ministries") to set out intentions and plans for a cooperative assessment process for the project. The Plan was developed in support of the intent of "one project-one assessment." The participating ministries in the impact assessment are included in Appendix 1 and the anticipated provincial regulatory frameworks (including but not limited to permits, environmental assessments or registrations, compliance limits, and land use policies) that may apply to the project are included in Appendix 2.

This Plan is intended to be flexible and does not prevent IAAC or participating ministries from making changes to the cooperative approach described in this Plan in response to changes that may occur during the assessment process.

For anticipated federal permits required, please see the project's Detailed Permitting Plan.

2. Project

TC Energy (the proponent) is proposing to construct and operate a pumped storage hydropower facility located at the Department of National Defence's Army Training Centre – Central (ATCC), (formerly known as 4^th Canadian Division Training Centre) near Meaford, Ontario, on Nottawasaga Bay. As proposed, the project would store excess electricity from the grid by moving water from the bay to a reservoir, that would then be released back to the bay to generate electricity during periods of demand. It will have a production capacity of 1000 megawatts and will operate indefinitely.

For more information on the impact assessment of the project or to view the information and comments received, visit the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the registry) at https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/89803?culture=en-CA.

3. Approach to cooperation

On December 18, 2025, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario signed a Co-operation Agreement on Environmental and Impact Assessment. Through cooperation, IAAC and potential participating Ontario ministries (see Appendix 1) will strive to increase efficiency and certainty for the proponent, as well as for the public and Indigenous communities, and ensure that the best available expertise is shared and applied. Where possible, IAAC may coordinate activities with participating ministries, to best share expertise. Each jurisdiction will retain its own decision-making authority in accordance with their respective legislative requirements.

The following table outlines potential opportunities for cooperation^Footnote 2, subject to proponent timelines for planning, design decisions, and sequencing of approvals. Provincial regulatory frameworks will only apply to project activities under provincial jurisdiction.

4. Gathering and review of proponent information

A Government Review Team (GRT), consisting of federal authorities and participating ministries with relevant expertise on the project, has been established. IAAC will continue to involve and share information with relevant Ontario ministries as members of the GRT (listed in Appendix 1). Timely review of proponent information by the GRT will support an efficient assessment, provide opportunities for early input on potentially applicable provincial regulatory frameworks, and allow updates, if needed, to the approach described in this Plan, should changes affect the Province of Ontario's role in the assessment process.

The following table identifies factors considered by IAAC and participating ministries where opportunities exist for cooperation to support information sharing, expert advice and reduced duplication.^Footnote 4

IAAC has prepared Tailored Information and Studies Guidelines that set out the information required of the proponent in the Impact Statement. General information requirements for the provincial regulatory frameworks are available in references listed in Appendix 2.

IAAC and provincial 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

IAAC and participating ministries have agreed to undertake their respective assessment processes in a cooperative manner such that government review of proponent submissions (e.g., Impact Statement, Environmental Study Reports for Class Environmental Assessments) are coordinated, where possible when submissions align. IAAC will also work with the GRT to ensure that timely and effective communication occurs throughout the assessment process.

Where suitable, the proponent and participating ministries are also encouraged to align early government review and engagement on regulatory frameworks with IAAC's comment period on the draft Impact Assessment Report and draft potential federal conditions.

IAAC recognizes that efforts to align respective timelines do not supersede legislative obligations concerning time limits, which are prescribed in the IAA and relevant provincial legislation.

6. Sharing of information

IAAC and participating ministries will share, as appropriate, the following information obtained during the assessments of the project on matters identified in Table 2:

• expert advice received;
• existing studies and information;
• comments from Indigenous communities, subject to confidentiality requirements;
• information received from the proponent (e.g., technical submissions);
• provincial regulatory, policy or other instruments and measures that could manage potential adverse effects of the project (e.g., complementary measures), and regulatory decision criteria;
• public comments;
• information requests;
• responses to information requests; and
• draft federal conditions.

IAAC and participating ministries will, subject to applicable legislation, endeavour to respect preferences of Indigenous communities related to confidentiality of Indigenous Knowledge.

7. Public participation and participant funding

If the province or proponent identifies comment periods for potential provincial regulatory frameworks and approval applications that can be aligned with impact assessment comment periods, IAAC will collaborate with participating ministries to include links to each other's websites, coordinate public notices, and share comments received, where appropriate.

Funding to support public participation in the federal impact assessment process is available through IAAC's Participant Funding Program. For information about the activities that are eligible for funding or on how to apply for funding please see the National Program Guidelines on the following page, https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/public-participation-impact-assessments/funding-programs/participant-funding-program.html.

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

8. Indigenous consultation and engagement

IAAC will lead Crown Consultation on behalf of the Government of Canada for this assessment. If applicable, Ontario would be responsible for Crown Consultation for applicable provincial decisions. Where participating ministries also have consultation obligations, federal and provincial consultation and engagement may be aligned, where appropriate and in collaboration with Indigenous communities, to minimize consultation fatigue and promote information sharing. For further information on proposed Indigenous consultation and engagement activities for the assessment, please see the project's Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plan.

9. Decision statement

If applicable, IAAC will consult with participating ministries regarding draft federal conditions to ensure consistency of draft federal conditions and improve regulatory efficiencies.

10. Interpretation

This Plan is not a legal document and does not change any existing federal, provincial, or Indigenous 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 IAAC office designated for administering the impact assessment of the project is:
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Ontario Regional Office
Email: Nottawasaga@iaac-aeic.gc.ca

Contact information for participating Ontario ministries and organizations is provided in Appendix 1.

Appendix 1 – Participating ministries

The following is a list of participating ministries and contact information, including their relevant areas of expertise for the assessment of the project.

Appendix 2 – Provincial regulatory frameworks

The following is a preliminary list of provincial regulatory frameworks that may apply if the project proceeds to permitting.