2026-Mar-31
IAAC Opens Public Comment Period for TC Energy's Pumped Storage Project
The Deadline to Submit Comments: April 6, 2026
Following TC Energy’s (TCE) formal submission of the Ontario Pumped Storage Hydropower Project to the federal government, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has triggered a critical 30-day public comment period.
The primary question currently before the IAAC is whether a full federal Impact Assessment is required. GBA strongly believes that a rigorous federal review is essential. Your voice is vital in ensuring the federal government understands the scale of local opposition and the potential risks to our fragile ecosystem.
GBA’s Position and Technical Concerns
The GBA Board issued a formal statement of opposition to the Meaford Project in 2025. Our technical team has spent Q1 2026 reviewing the latest project documents and has identified several high-alert areas:
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Contamination & Water Quality: There is a significant risk of “Forever Chemicals” (PFAS) and PCBs leaching into the groundwater and Georgian Bay. Existing chemical leaching at the DND site could be exacerbated by tunnel construction, threatening local drinking water and increasing turbidity across the Great Lakes.
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The “Fish Dead Zone” Risk: Our analysis indicates that the massive water intake infrastructure could lead to significant “Fish Kills.” Without a dedicated engineering solution to reduce intake intensity, this project risks creating a biological “dead zone” in a vital part of the Bay.
- Species at Risk: Over 30 endangered or threatened species (including migratory birds and reptiles) have been identified on or near the project site.
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Public Safety & Recreation: The scale of the intake infrastructure presents a high danger to the public, specifically for swimmers and boaters. Furthermore, the degradation of water quality threatens the long-term viability of recreational fishing and tourism in the area.
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Geological Risks: Questions remain regarding the stability of the Niagara Escarpment karst formation under the weight of a 375-acre upper reservoir.
- Incomplete Environmental Data: GBA technical leads have characterized recent TCE reports as “incomplete and inaccurate,” specifically regarding the lack of baseline measurements for soil and water contamination around the proposed site.
How to Submit Your Comments
The IAAC is inviting the public to review the Initial Project Description (IPD) and provide feedback. Comments received by April 6, 2026, will be included in a Summary of Issues prepared by the Agency.
1. Review the Documents:
The IPD and its summary are available on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (Reference Number 89803) here.
2. Submit Your Feedback:
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Online: Use the “Submit a Comment” function on the Project Registry Page here
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Email: Send your comments directly to Nottawasaga@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.
Note on Privacy: Comments submitted by email will have sensitive information (addresses/phone numbers) removed by the IAAC before being posted publicly. Comments submitted directly to the Registry are subject to their standard Terms of Use.
Next Steps for Members
We encourage all of our members to visit the registry here to share your concerns before the deadline. Not sure where to begin? Check out our Quick Guide to help you frame your comments here.
GBA’s submission to the IAAC can be found here.