Question Period Note: Énergie Saguenay Project, Quebec

• Protecting our streams while considering economic interests of regional communities who rely on these industries for their livelihoods is a priority for our government.
• My department will continue to actively participate in the environmental assessment for the Énergie Saguenay Project.
• DFO will continue to provide expert advice and evaluate potential physical impacts to the marine and freshwater environment, including the assessment of impacts on marine mammals from underwater noise.

• In February 2020, GNL Québec Inc. (the proponent) submitted a new “summary” of the provincial impact assessment for its Énergie Saguenay project, [Redacted].
• The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Agency) requested information related to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from GNL Québec (the proponent) on August 20, 2019 and on October 11, 2019. The project is undergoing an environmental assessment (EA) under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.
• In August 2019, the Agency expanded the scope of the EA to include project-related marine shipping.
• The proponent submitted its EIS for the project on February 20, 2019.
• First Nations affected by the project have submitted their comments on the EIS to the Agency.
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• A Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Report (2018/025) on the potential effects of construction of the Énergie Saguenay project and Saint-Rose-du-Nord marine terminal indicates that additional traffic on the Saguenay Fjord will affect a portion of the Beluga critical habitat already subject to noise (Sainte-Marguerite Bay) and regularly frequented by females and juveniles, a particularly vulnerable segment of the population.
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• In November 2016, DFO received a request for review for the project, in regards to a potential authorization under the Fisheries Act. DFO requested additional information from the proponent; however, the proponent has yet to provide a response.
• The proponent is proposing the construction and operation of a natural gas liquefaction facility and export terminal located in the District of La Baie, Saguenay City, Quebec.

Species at Risk
• Protecting species at risk is a shared responsibility, and the federal government is committed to working with provinces and territories and all Canadians in implementing the Species at Risk Act.
• Under the Species at Risk Act, critical habitat identified for a listed species at risk must be protected from destruction. Proposed activities, including those in areas of critical habitat, may be authorized under the Species at Risk Act as long as they meet certain conditions and do not jeopardize the survival or recovery of the species.