Public Notice

Great Sandhills Railway Switching Operation at North West Terminal Project — Public Comments Invited

What is happening?

September 21, 2020 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) has accepted an initial project description for the proposed Great Sandhills Railway Switching Operation at North West Terminal Project, located near Unity, Saskatchewan.

The Agency invites the public and Indigenous groups to review the summary of the initial project description and provide feedback related to the proposed project. Comments received will support the Agency in the preparation of a summary of issues. Once completed, the Agency will provide the summary of issues to the proponent.

The Agency recognizes it is more challenging to undertake meaningful public engagement and Indigenous consultation in light of the circumstances arising from COVID-19. The Agency continues to assess the situation with key stakeholders, make adjustments to consultation activities, and is providing flexibility as needed in order to prioritize the health and safety of all Canadians, while maintaining its duty to conduct meaningful engagement with interested groups.

How can I participate?

Comments can be submitted online by visiting the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 80998). All comments received will be published online as part of the project file. For more information on the project, the review process and alternative means of submitting comments, visit the Agency's website at canada.ca/iaac.

Written comments in either official language will be accepted until October 21, 2020.

To view the summary of the initial project description online, visit the Agency's website at canada.ca/iaac. Printed copies are available upon request.

Virtual Information Sessions

The Agency invites the public and Indigenous groups to attend one of the virtual information sessions that will take place during the comment period. The Agency will be sharing information on the impact assessment process and the project in order to assist participants with their review and formulation of comments on the summary of the initial project description.

October 8, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. CST (Session 1) & 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST (Session 2)

More information on how to attend the virtual information sessions is available by contacting the Agency at IAAC.NorthWest.AEIC@canada.ca or 587-357-6484.

Will there be more opportunities to participate?

This is the first federal comment period for the project. If the Agency determines a federal impact assessment is required, the public and Indigenous groups will have additional opportunities to participate over the course of the impact assessment process.

Stay updated by following the Agency on Twitter: @IAAC_AEIC #NorthWestTerminal

What is the proposed project?

Great Sandhills Railway Ltd. is proposing to expand the existing North West Terminal, a grain handling facility located one kilometre east of Unity, Saskatchewan and serviced by the Canadian National Railway (CN) and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). As proposed, the Great Sandhills Railway Switching Operation at North West Terminal Project would include three loop tracks, two shop tracks, a wye track, and a repair shop. The new tracks would reduce congestion on the mainline by allowing CN and CP to enter and depart the yard on alternative tracks. The new tracks would also allow for the interchange of over 175 train cars at a time, increase capacity on the Edmonton corridor, and create a space for the mechanical inspection or repurposing of trains and rail cars.

For more information on the Agency's privacy policies, consult the Privacy Notice on its website at canada.ca/iaac.

Document Reference Number: 4

Date modified: