Department of National Defence (DND) Combat Aerial Delivery Support Section/Major Air Disaster (CADSS/MAJAID)

Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Department of National Defence (DND) Combat Aerial Delivery Support Section/Major Air Disaster (CADSS/MAJAID)

October 9, 2026 — The authorities must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the authorities are inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by November 8, 2026 to:

Rheya Dutkiewicz, Junior Engineer, Real Property Operations Unit (Ontario)
Mailing Address:  Post Office Box 1000 Station Forces, Astra
Ontario, Canada, K0K 3W0
E-mail:  Rheya.Dutkiewicz@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project. DND is undertaking the construction of a new Combat Aerial Delivery Support Section/Major Air Disaster (CADSS/MAJAID) facility in its eastern section adjacent to South Tower Road. The construction footprint of the Project is approximately 12,740 m².

Project Components on the Project Site include the following:

• Clearing and removal of existing vegetation
• Granular work
• Concrete work
• Construction of new CADSS/MAJAID facility
• Installation of new transformer
• New asphalt paving

The Project consists of the following phases:

Site Preparation: This phase will include tree clearing, vegetation removal, grubbing, and earthworks on the Project Site to prepare construction areas. The approximate site clearing, grubbing and minor grading area is 1,554 m², and the approximate excavation volume for foundations is 1,211 m³. Prior to any soil reuse or stockpiling, soils will be assessed and sampled, as required, to determine their suitability for reuse and to identify any contamination concerns. Any trees retained on site will be protected with barricades to prevent damage. Soils suitable for reuse during construction will be stockpiled on site, while excess or unsuitable soils will be managed in accordance with applicable regulations and stored at designated stockpile locations. Temporary staging and laydown areas will also be established. Two temporary laydown areas will be established for the storage of excavated materials. Laydown Area 1 will measure approximately 32 m × 11.5 m and Laydown Area 2 will measure approximately 28 m × 11.5 m, for a combined area of approximately 690 554 m². The laydown areas have been sized to accommodate all excavated material in safely sloped stockpiles and have been strategically located within the Project Site boundaries and sediment control limits. These areas were selected to avoid lands identified as suitable terrestrial overwintering residence for Western Chorus Frog, thereby reducing potential environmental effects on the species and its residence.

Construction: This phase will include construction of the CADSS/MAJAID facility and associated site works, resulting in impacts to approximately 12,740 m² of land. Activities will include construction of the building footprint, installation of the transformer required to support facility operations, landscaping, paving, concrete works, and other related infrastructure. Ancillary construction activities may also include management of potentially contaminated soil, sediment, or groundwater, as well as the establishment and use of temporary roads, utilities, laydown areas, storage areas, and any additional vegetation removal required to facilitate construction.

Site Restoration: This phase will consist of reinstating and restoring all areas disturbed by the construction of the Project. This phase will be completed after completion of the construction phase. All areas disturbed during construction will be restored and stabilized (i.e., vegetated, landscaping) once associated construction activities are complete. All temporary measures, including silt fencing, dewatering systems, disposal bins, site trailers, lighting, tree barricades, and other general conditions, will be removed during this phase. In addition, a final clean-up will be conducted to address any remaining loose material on site.

Operations: During the operations phase, the proposed CADSS/MAJAID facility will provide permanent, dedicated warehouse, storage, and operational space for the CADSS/MAJAID Unit.

Decommissioning and Abandonment: No decommissioning phase is anticipated. In the unlikely event that the Project ceases to operate, DND would be responsible for decommissioning in accordance with applicable regulations as required at the time.