e-2508 (National defence and military operations)

National Defence is taking concrete steps to advance whole of Government efforts towards creating a clean environment. With the responsibility to manage more than two million hectares of land, thousands of buildings, jetties and training areas, National Defence is central to the Government’s commitment to be a responsible steward of the environment. This includes doing our part to protect the habitat of at risk species found on Canadian Forces Bases and wings across Canada.

National Defence is currently divesting the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas from its portfolio as it has identified the area as surplus real estate. As part of this process, National Defence completed necessary environmental decontamination work, consulted with Indigenous groups, and consulted with representatives of neighbouring communities.

In accordance with the Treasury Board Directive on the Sale or Transfer of Surplus Real Property, National Defence has offered federal departments and agencies the opportunity to acquire for public use the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas. As such, discussions are currently underway with other federal departments and agencies.

In July 2018, National Defence completely closed public access to the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas. This was done to ensure compliance with the new Federal Ministerial Order, Critical Habitat of the Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) Great Lakes / St. Lawrence – Canadian Shield Population Order, issued by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Canada. This Order states that subsection 58 (1) of the Species at Risk Act applies to the habitat of the Western Chorus Frog, which includes the majority of the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas. As such, managers of federal land identified as critical habitat of the Western Chorus Frog must ensure all activities comply with the habitat protection requirements of the Species at Risks Act.

The St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas will remain closed to public access during the remainder of the divestment process. This will ensure continued compliance with the Species at Risk Act and avoid having to re-start decontamination activities following potential environmental incidents caused by public users.

As the majority of the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas is habitat for the Western Chorus Frog, National Defence is not currently considering selling the land for real estate development.