Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia
Reasons for Determination
Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia
Following consideration of advice from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, I have decided to proceed with a regional assessment of offshore wind development in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia pursuant to the Impact Assessment Act, for the following reasons:
- The regional assessment could inform future federal impact assessment decisions as offshore wind developments are described under Section 44 of the Physical Activities Regulations;
- There is the potential for offshore wind development activities offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia to result in effects within federal jurisdiction, including cumulative effects;
- There are opportunities for collaboration with Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia;
- There is the potential for offshore wind development activities offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia to result in impacts, including cumulative impacts, to the rights of Indigenous people;
- There has been public interest related to offshore wind development and its potential effects (including cumulative effects);
- There are no known existing or planned initiatives outside of a regional assessment would adequately address the need and objectives outlined above; and,
- The regional assessment can be conducted using the resources that are available to the Agency.
Given the above considerations, I have asked the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to commence with a planning exercise for the regional assessment.
Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Document reference number: 1