Source: Government of Canada News (2)
July 18, 2025 – Ottawa – Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has conducted an assessment of the Adding Capacity to Sainte-Marguerite-3 Generating Station Project located in on the Sainte-Marguerite River near Sept-Îles, Quebec, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means.
The proponent, Hydro-Québec, may now move forward with obtaining any necessary authorizations and permits from federal authorities.
To arrive at its section 16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act, IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts to federal jurisdiction and ensure they can be addressed.
IAAC is of the view that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include but are not limited to the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, as well as Quebec’s Environment Quality Act.
As a result, a more comprehensive federal impact assessment is not required.
The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC’s decision with reasons.