Question Period Note: Tidal Energy Development

Why does the Government of Canada not support the development of renewable tidal energy?

• The Department remains committed to working with industry and federal partners to advance the responsible development of marine renewable energy, including tidal energy.
• At the same time, the Department must fulfil its regulatory mandate of ensuring healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems and minimizing the impacts of ocean-based projects on fish and fish habitat, including vulnerable aquatic species protected under the Species at Risk Act which are found at locations where tidal energy projects are proposed.
• We have supported several tidal energy projects already, but must evaluate each project on its own merits and consider its potential environmental risks.

• In May 2022, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) received an application from Sustainable Marine Energy Canada Ltd. (SMEC), for a Fisheries Act authorization and Species at Risk Act (SARA) permit in relation to a proposed in-stream tidal energy project.
• SMEC is proposing to deploy and operate a floating tidal energy device (i.e. platform) with six 3-bladed turbines at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) test site in the Minas Passage, approximately 7 km west of Parrsboro in Cumberland county, Nova Scotia.
• In 2020, Natural Resources Canada provided SMEC $28.5 million to advance tidal energy technology. It is DFO’s understanding that the funding was approved based on the deployment of 9 Megawatt (MW) or approximately twenty-one (21) platforms.
• The current proposed deployment is separate from an earlier deployment of a test platform in Grand Passage, which was authorized by the Department to test and develop the company’s Environmental Effects Monitoring Program. In addition, DFO has issued several Fisheries Act authorizations related to tidal power projects over the past five years.
• Grand Passage differs from the Minas Passage because Grand Passage is not a major migratory corridor for fish and the flow speeds are considerably lower than in the Minas Passage.
• The Minas Passage and Minas Basin are part of an ecologically and biologically significant area, characterized by the world’s highest tides. There are currently 85 different fish species, multiple species of marine mammals, and marine invertebrates known to use this area. The Minas Passage acts as a major migratory corridor for many of these species, including numerous species of economic and cultural significance.
• SMEC has communicated a plan for a 5 Megawatt (MW) deployment to install three, six, and eventually twelve floating platforms in the Minas Passage. Each platform would have six tidal turbines as a minimum pathway in order to receive funding from their investors.
• DFO continues to communicate a clear regulatory path with projected timelines to support a staged approach to tidal energy development. This means installing only one platform with an acceptable monitoring program first. Under this staged approach to in-stream tidal energy development, the Department has authorized the test platform in Grand Passage.
• This staged approach is important before a project that has a higher risk of impacts to fish can proceed to the next stage of development (i.e. large or high-risk tidal array).
• At this time there is no environmental effects monitoring equipment that is capable of collecting information and data to inform the risk mortality, injury, or behavioral disturbance.
• Where the proponent has communicated that they have withdrawn their application DFO’s review of the project is currently paused. Should SMEC propose and alternative approach DFO staff will continue our review.
• DFO considers a variety of factors when reviewing in-stream tidal energy projects, including turbine specifications and project design, project location, avoidance and mitigation measures, relevant scientific literature, and the ability to monitor for potential effects.
• Decisions on whether or not to issue a Fisheries Act authorization are guided by the best available scientific information and departmental objectives, and decisions are made in consultation with Indigenous partners. The precautionary principle is followed when there are uncertainties.

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