Question Period Note: Northvolt Project

• Protecting aquatic ecosystems is a priority for my department. We must protect and conserve Canada’s fish and fish habitat for future generations while helping to combat climate change.
• My department has met with the proponent on several occasions to discuss the project and our regulatory requirements for protecting fish, including those at risk and their habitat. .
• To date, no Application for Authorization under the Fisheries Act has been received.
• We will continue to work with the proponent, other government departments, and affected Indigenous groups to ensure that measures to protect fish and fish habitat and Indigenous rights are in place for this project.

• Northvolt (the proponent) is proposing the creation of a mega-factory for electric batteries in Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville, near Montreal, Quebec.
• The project has received an investment of $3 billion from Canada and Quebec, which is expected to create 3,000 jobs.
• The factory will have an annual cell production capacity of 60 GWh. It will be divided into three components, one for cathode manufacturing, one for battery assembly and one for electric battery recycling.
• With a footprint of 171 ha, the project will be built on the rehabilitated site of the former Canadian Industries Limited factory. The project will include water intake and discharge pipes in the Richelieu River, in Copper Redhorse habitat, a species listed as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act.
• There has been regular media attention with respect to the project including the potential for the destruction of wetlands and fish habitat at the project site and more recently for drainage towards the Richelieu River from contaminated soils at the future factory. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has responded to several media requests and in December 2023 provided an interview to the publication “Le Devoir” regarding the proponent’s obligations under the Fisheries Act.
• On November 13, 2023, staff from the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program met with the proponent to discuss the project and DFO’s regulatory process. It was communicated that an official Request for Review be submitted first to allow the Department to determine DFO’s regulatory role.
• On January 26, 2024, the Quebec Superior Court ruled against the request for an injunction from the Centre québécois du droit de l'environnement (CQDE) related to the cutting of thousands of trees on the project site. CQDE also demanded an independent environmental assessment from the Quebec government.
• On January 23, 2024, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) asked the Quebec Superior Court to declare that Quebec and Ottawa had violated their constitutional duty to consult by funding the project. The MCK is also challenging Quebec legislation regulating work in wetlands.
• On April 2, 2024, the proponent submitted a Request for Review to the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program for the installation of a temporary storm outfall, which will be used for drainage at one of the buildings of the future factory. Analysis of this activity is currently underway.
• On April 23, 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) contacted DFO to inform them that it would likely be necessary for the department to participate in their Indigenous consultation process.
• At present, DFO has not yet received a Request for Review or an Application for Authorization under the Fisheries Act or Species at Risk Act for the mega-factory.

If pressed – Species at risk, Copper Redhorse
• My department has a legislated requirement to conserve and protect fish and fish habitat under the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act, including the endangered Copper Redhorse and its habitat.
• My department is tracking this project closely to ensure that it will be assessed as efficiently as possible.