Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
The Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft Project (CMMA) - Canadian Forces Base Comox

June 27, 2025 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by July 16, 2025 to:
Adam Pakvis, Senior Project Manager
Mailing Address:  Director General – Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering Services, 101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2
E-mail:  adam.pakvis@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) has proposed a project. The Project will involve construction of a new Canadian Multi Mission Aircraft (CMMA) Simulator (SIM) Facility at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Comox Main Base. The SIM Facility will include a building with full motion aircraft simulator, office spaces, and classrooms for currency training of flight crew. Associated infrastructure related to the SIM Facility will include: underground utilities, concrete/asphalt walkway(s), parking lot(s), roadways, and light standards. The SIM Facility will also include the installation, continued operation, and maintenance of building systems.

The Project will also involve construction of a new Hangar at CFB Comox Main Base. The Hangar will be a building with large access doors to indoor area(s) used for the storage and maintenance of the CMMA (P8-A), as well as, for CMMA parts, supplies, equipment, and crew. Associated infrastructure related to the Hangar building will include: underground utilities, concrete apron(s), parking lot(s), roadways, and light standards. The Hangar will also include the installation, continued operation, and maintenance of the following building systems (associated hazardous substances in brackets): heating and cooling (halocarbons), fuel storage tank(s) (diesel/gas), oil water separator(s), and fire suppression systems. Demolition of several existing buildings within the Project Area, will be required prior to construction.

Prior to construction, the following studies will be completed on-site: Geotechnical Investigation, Soil Sampling and Lab Testing, Topographic Survey, Designated Substance Survey, Utility Study, and Environmental Studies to provide information to the consultant and the eventual construction of the Hangar. The approximate size of the SIM Facility Site will be 2,274 m². The approximate size of the Hangar Site will be 36,196 m².