Share your Thoughts: Proposed Hydroelectric Project at 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford, Ontario

A1. No. TC Energy has proposed a potential pumped storage project at the 4 CDTC Meaford, and the Department has granted temporary access for feasibility studies.

A2. The Department is currently working with TC Energy to obtain the information required on the proposed project’s design, construction, and operation to assess potential impacts on CAF activities. The objective is to position the Minister to make a well-informed determination.

The Agreement in Principle, signed between DND and TC Energy in 2021, stipulates that the project must not result in any operational impacts to the CAF. As the 4 CDTC is an active military training site, any large-scale construction could require adjustments to training schedules, restrictions on access to specific areas, and the implementation of additional safety measures to protect both military personnel and contractors. These operational considerations form a key component of DND’s assessment of the proposed TC Energy OPS project.

If the proposed OPS project proceeds, construction activities will be phased to minimize disruption to base operations. Any DND infrastructure impacted by the OPS project will be constructed and operationalized prior to the decommissioning or demolition of existing infrastructure to maintain continuity of military activities.

A3. The Agreement in Principle signed between TC Energy and the DND in 2021 outlines that all costs in any way associated with every phase of the project shall be assumed by TC Energy. This includes all studies that DND must undertake to assess the viability of relocating infrastructure to accommodate the proposed OPS facility. Any costs in any way associated with the relocation, decommissioning, demolition, planning and development, design, construction and operationalization of any DND infrastructure would also be assumed by TC Energy.

A4. No decisions on the Trans Canada (TC) Energy’s pumped storage project will be made until all necessary information is available, including potential impacts on training, operations, the environment, and risks to the Crown. In accordance with the standard process, DND will provide a recommendation to the Minister once sufficient information has been received to support an informed decision.

Note that as per the signed agreement between TC Energy and DND, all infrastructure at 4 CDTC impacted by the proposed Ontario Pumped Storage project will need to be relocated and made operational elsewhere on the Base. As part of this project, TC Energy will not be funding construction unrelated to the infrastructure impacted by the project.

A5. Questions concerning TC Energy’s processes and plans are to be directed to TC Energy.

A6. The initial feasibility studies are focused on assessing the impact of relocating buildings, infrastructure, and range and training areas within a defined portion of 4 CDTC land. The completion of the studies has had no effect on planned CAF training or operations. DND is not aware of any impacts on the surrounding community.

Similarly, the feasibility studies conducted by TC Energy at 4 CDTC, to date, have had no effect on planned CAF training or operations.

A7. 4 CDTC Meaford is home to 30 species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), including a variety of birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and plants. DND’s environmental personnel work to protect these species and their habitats in accordance with our obligations under SARA. Potential impacts on SARA-listed species will continue to be assessed under the Environmental Effects Determination (EED) process for any DND relocated infrastructure required to accommodate the project. The results of the EED will help inform the Minister’s decision on whether the TC Energy OPS project can be accommodated or if DND will disengage from the project. Any impacts to SARA species within the footprint of the proposed TC Energy OPS project will be evaluated though an Impact Assessment process lead by Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

All regulatory requirements, permits and enforcement actions related to species at risk fall under the authority of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). DND will continue to work with ECCC on environmental matters and throughout the Impact Assessment process for the land parcel proposed for use by TC Energy.

A8. The proposed OPS project footprint identified by TC Energy is known to contain Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) due to the nature of the training historically and currently conducted on the base. 4 CDTC is an active military training site that includes live-fire exercises, and safety measures are in place to prevent harm to personnel and visitors.

If the OPS project proceeds, TC Energy will be required to conduct UXO surveys within the proposed project footprint and remediate any UXO identified within that area as part of construction activities.

A9. These risks are being factored into the Department’s decision-making process. Live-fire training at 4 CDTC results in an ongoing release of UXO and munition residues in the environment. Disturbing the land during construction carries the risk of influencing how these munitions move through soil or groundwater. To mitigate such risks, DND requires comprehensive environmental assessments, UXO surveys and clearance activities prior to any construction work, along with the implementation of appropriate safety measures, should the OPS project proceed.

As part of the Canadian Army’s approach to managing risks associated contaminants and UXO in ranges and training areas, 4CDTC conducts annual surface and groundwater monitoring to identify any impacts resulting from live-fire training. If contamination is detected that poses off-site risks, the Canadian Army takes corrective action to reduce those risks.

Thorough characterization of the ranges and training areas, combined with historical and ongoing monitoring has found that minimal contamination exists in surface and ground water at 4 CDTC. Previous historical Environmental Site Assessments have also shown minimal contamination. Any sites identified with contamination after 1998 are managed under a rigorous program based on the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan. Records of past assessments are publicly available through the Treasury Board Secretariates Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory.

Members of the public may consult the Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment for information on the soil and water Quality guidelines that apply to federal lands, or the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory for a list of documented contaminated sites at 4 CDTC.

The safety of military personnel and the public remains a top priority, and any potential contamination-related risks will be carefully managed if the project moves ahead.