The planning of this proposed project will follow the Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities (2022) in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.
An environmental assessment (EA) is a regulated decision-making tool and a key step for the planning and building of transmission infrastructure in Ontario. The EA ensures that potential natural, economic, social and cultural effects are thoroughly considered before a project begins.
A Class EA includes assessing the project study area, identifying and evaluating alternatives associated with the project, consultation with stakeholders and rights-holders, identifying potential effects, mitigation measures and approvals, and documenting the process, studies, decisions and commitments into an Environmental Study Report.
Since late-2023 when the Notice of Commencement was issued, the project team explored possible routes, identified constraints and opportunities, and developed a technically feasible alignment based on feedback from key stakeholders like the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Ontario.
Several desktop and field studies were conducted in 2024, such as:
- A desktop archaeology assessment to identify archaeological potential
- Ecological land classification to determine vegetation communities and potential habitat types
- Aquatic habitat assessments
- Significant wildlife habitat assessment
- Species at risk habitat assessment
- Geotechnical studies to confirm local conditions and engineering construction requirements.
In January 2025, a Community Open House was held to share the results of the Class EA activities.
