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e-2670 (Environment)

E-petition
Initiated by JIMMY BRUNOW from Meaford, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment are crown jewels - UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves;
  • These pristine environments, home to species at risk, are potentially threatened by a proposed $3.3 billion pumped storage plant to be built on Department of National Defense land that will use Georgian Bay as a reservoir;
  • TC Energy claims that this will be one of Canada's largest climate change initiatives, reducing CO2 emissions by 465,000 tonnes;
  • The plant will use significantly more electricity than it produces, clean electricity that may be diverted from U.S. States that rely on coal and gas generation;
  • The Fisheries Act states: Thou shall not cause death to fish or destroy fish habitat;
  • It is well documented that a pumped storage plant on Lake Michigan has killed millions of fish;
  • Disturbance of the clay bottom will discolour the crystal clear waters of the Bay and affect the drinking water and economy of the Municipality of Meaford;
  • Better renewable energy technologies exist that cost much less and have real carbon emission benefits, without the need for new transmission corridors and without destroying fish, fish habitat and habitat for species at risk;
  • These include closed loop pumped storage, smart energy controllers, compressed air storage and small modular nuclear reactors that cannot melt down, cannot be used to make weapons and produce minimal waste; and
  • The project is opposed by the Georgian Bay Association, the Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation and a large number of community members.
We, the undersigned, concerned citizens, call upon the House of Commons to deny approval of this harmful project.

Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSON

IMPACT ASSESSMENT AGENCY OF CANADA

  • The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada conducts federal impact assessments of major projects pursuant to the Impact Assessment Act (the IAA).
  • The federal process for assessments include the assessment of positive and negative environmental, economic, health, and social effects.
  • The Agency understands that TC Energy’s proposed hydroelectric pumped-storage plant would be subject to the IAA. The Agency is awaiting the submission of an acceptable initial description of the Project by the proponent.
  • Assessments by the Agency involve consultation with the public, Indigenous peoples, federal authorities, and all other interested participants, including provincial officials.
  • Further information on the Agency is available online at https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency.html.
  • Questions on the Agency’s process can be directed to the Agency’s Ontario Region office via email at iaac.ontarioregion-regiondontario.aeic@canada.ca.
Open for signature
June 15, 2020, at 2:56 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
July 15, 2020, at 2:56 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Alex Ruff (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound)
September 25, 2020 (Petition No. 432-00014)
Government response tabled
November 16, 2020
Photo - Alex Ruff
Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound
Conservative Caucus
Ontario