Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Department of National Defence Quinte West Training Centre Project - 8 Wing Trenton, ON

August 18, 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 September 6, 2025 to:
David McClure, Project Manager
Mailing Address:  101 Colonel By Dr
Ottawa ON K1A 0K2
E-mail:  David.mcclure@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) is proposing a project. The DND is undertaking a project to construct new infrastructure to provide requisite space to accommodate DND operations and training in support of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). The Quinte West Training Centre (QWTC) project will involve site development and the construction of four new buildings, along with associated utilities and civil work, to support the training, operation, storage, and office space required for DND operations.

The Study Area is in the southwest corner of the northern Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton Property and covers an area of approximately 130 hectares. It consists of wetlands, forested areas and abandoned agricultural fields that drain via the West Branch of Myers Creek. There is also a large concrete pile on site where a previous residential home was once located. The Study Area is bounded by Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Road to the west, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC) rail to the south, abandoned agricultural fields to the east and open field to the north. The Project Site is accessible from the west by RCAF Road.

Project Components to be constructed within the Project Site include the following:

• Buildings to accommodate office space, warehousing, storage, maintenance, and training activities covering a gross area of approximately 31,000 m2.
• Associated access and parking areas.
• Stormwater management facilities for the collection and treatment of runoff
• Utility crossing beneath the CPKC Rail line to allow for utility connections to existing CFB Trenton infrastructure.
• Associated site infrastructure, including:
  • Electrical substation, connection to Hydro One facilities
  • Potable water connection to existing municipal infrastructure
  • Sanitary sewer connection to the existing CFB Trenton Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Associated distribution facilities
• Security fencing

The Project consists of the following phases:

Site Preparation: This phase will include tree clearing, vegetation removal, grubbing and topsoil stripping on the Project Site to prepare construction areas. Soils to be reused for construction will be stockpiled. Unused soils will be handled in accordance with the governing regulations. This phase will also include the installation of some utility infrastructure, including temporary power, and allow for some preliminary site grading and installation of security fencing.

Construction: This phase will include the construction of the four (4) new buildings within the Project Site. It will also include the installation of the associated underground utilities and civil works via daylighting/excavation methods. The approximate footprint of the four (4) new buildings are as follows:

• Building 1 (B1): 175 m2
• Building 2 (B2): 16,402 m2
• Building 3 (B3): 2,043 m2
• Building 4 (B4): 2,600 m2

Associated utilities and civil works will include excavation, installation and backfill of distribution sanitary sewer water distribution (and connection to municipal system), and connection to CFB Trenton Wastewater Treatment Plant, installation of a new electrical substation and electrical distribution, communications, and stormwater management. After completion of underground utilities, hard scape, such as asphalt, concrete, riprap will be completed around buildings and at support spaces.

Site Restoration: This phase will consist of reinstating and restoring all areas disturbed by the construction. This phase will be completed after completion of the construction phase. All areas disturbed during construction will be restored and stabilized (i.e., vegetated) once associated construction activities are complete. All temporary measures, including silt fencing, dewatering systems, disposal bins, site trailers, lighting, and other general conditions, will be removed during this phase. In addition, a final clean-up will be conducted to address any remaining loose material on site.

Operations: During this phase, the QWTC will serve as a vital hub for military personnel, facilitating various operational activities and training programs. The operation will include the management and maintenance of the newly constructed infrastructure, ensuring that all facilities are fully functional and meet the comprehensive needs of the DND.

Decommissioning and Abandonment: No Decommissioning phase is anticipated. In the unlikely event that the Project ceases to operate, DND would be responsible for decommissioning in accordance with applicable regulations as required at the time.

The anticipated project start date for site preparation is: Late Fall 2025. The anticipated in-service date (operations) is: 2030.