Input for Consideration - Regional Assessment Request Notification - Western Energy Corridor

Hi Colter,

My apologies for the delay in responding to this request and I thank you for the opportunity to provide some input for your consideration on a Regional Assessment for the Western Energy Corridor.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has a mandate to manage and minimize impacts to fish and fish habitat, including aquatic Species at Risk, and thus would be our interest in any potential Western Energy Corridor development projects resulting from the Western Energy Corridor project. Under paragraphs 34.4(2)(b) and 35(2)(b) of the Fisheries Act, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard (the Minister) may issue an authorization with terms and conditions in relation to a proposed work, undertaking or activity that may result in death of fish or harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat. Factors that the Minister must consider prior to recommending to the Governor-in-Council regulations or the Minister exercising powers related to authorizations, permits, orders or Ministerial regulations include:

(a) the contribution to the productivity of relevant fisheries;
(b) fisheries management objectives;
(c) whether there are measures and standards;
(d) the cumulative effects;
(e) any fish habitat banks;
(f) whether any measures and standards to offset the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat give priority to the restoration of degraded fish habitat;
(g) Indigenous knowledge of the Indigenous peoples of Canada that has been provided to the Minister; and
(h) any other factor that the Minister considers relevant. 

DFO could support a Regional Strategic Environmental Assessment to further our understanding of the factors the Minister must consider to exercise regulatory powers, such as cumulative effects, fisheries management objectives and  to support the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge. DFO recognizes that there are current and potential projects where impacts may be better assessed at landscape or watershed level when considering both local and downstream effects. DFO recommends that watershed boundaries be considered in scoping. In addition, the scale and scope of the Regional Assessment may need to go beyond the proposed corridor boundary to include supporting infrastructure such that associated with existing hydroelectric development.

DFO would be an active participant, with our level of participation dictated by the scope of the Regional Assessment. Outcomes would be dependent on the objectives and scope of the Regional Assessment, and we would look forward to engaging with Indigenous groups, provincial governments and other parties involved. DFO could benefit from the amalgamation of existing information, as well as new information generated, to gain a better understanding of information gaps and the cumulative impacts of development and other (eg.climate change) pressures in the region.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
 

Bev Ross
(she/her/elle/they/them)
Regional Manager, Integrated Planning
Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program
Ontario and Prairie Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Government of Canada
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Gestionnaire de la plannification intégrée
Programme de la protection de l’habitat du poisson et du poisson
Région d’Ontario et des Prairies
Pêches et Océans Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
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