OTTAWA – The Government of Canada today announced that it accepts the Joint Review Panel’s conclusions on the environmental assessment of the proposed Romaine Hydroelectric Complex Project on the North Shore of Gulf of St. Lawrence, in Quebec.
“The Government of Canada supports the Joint Review Panel’s recommendations,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “We will work with the Government of Quebec and Hydro Quebec to address the potential environmental impacts through agreed upon mitigation measures.”
The Joint Review Panel was mandated by the federal and provincial ministers of the Environment in September 2008 to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project.
The Government of Canada accepts the Panel’s February 2009 findings that the construction and operation of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. This conclusion is based on the condition that appropriate mitigation measures, and compensation and follow-up programs proposed by Hydro-Québec, as well as those proposed by the Panel, are implemented.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada were the lead federal departments and provided expert advice at the panel hearings.
“A further step has been made toward the implementation of this project. It demonstrates our government’s commitment to promoting significant economic development projects while protecting the environment,” said Mr. John Baird, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Canada.
The joint review panel held public hearings in Havre-Saint-Pierre, Ekuanitshit (Mingan) and Sept-Iles. The panel received a total of 120 submissions during its public consultation.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Kim Hogan
Communications
Transport Canada
514-633-2741
