Notice of Early Decision with Reasons

Ottawa — February 18, 2026 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has conducted an assessment of the Point Rousse Port Expansion Project (the project) and decided at an early stage that no further assessment is required for the project proposed by Point Rousse Marine Terminal Ltd (the proponent), located in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In accordance with subsection 16(2) of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), IAAC has considered each of the following factors:

• the Initial Project Description, and the Response to the Summary of Issues, as submitted by the proponent pursuant to sections 10 and 15 of the IAA;
• the adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, or the direct or incidental adverse effects, that may be caused by the carrying out of the project;
• adverse impacts that the project may have on the rights of Indigenous Peoples of Canada recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
• comments received by IAAC from Indigenous groups, the public, federal authorities, and other jurisdictions in relation to the project, as reflected in the Summary of Issues;
• any relevant assessment referred to in section 92, 93 or 95 of the IAA; and,
• whether a means other than an impact assessment exists that would permit a jurisdiction to address the adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, and the direct or incidental adverse effects, that may be caused by the carrying out of the project.

IAAC is of the view that the carrying out of the project may cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction or direct or incidental adverse effects. In light of the factors considered, IAAC is of the view that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, or direct or incidental adverse effects, from the project would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial legislative and regulatory frameworks. This includes but is not limited to, the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, as well as the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Protection Act, the Newfoundland and Labrador Water Resources Act, Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Control Water Sewage Regulations, 2003, Newfoundland and Labrador Wild Life Act and Wild Life Regulations, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act.

As a result, IAAC decided that no further assessment under the IAA is required for the project. Decisions like these ensure that Canada's impact assessment process is efficient by determining at an early stage whether further assessment is required or not.

For further information on this impact assessment, please contact information@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.