Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
DND Relocated Infrastructure Project at the 4th Canadian Division Training Center (4 CDTC) in Meaford, Ontario

March 24, 2026 — The authorities must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the authorities are 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 May 22, 2026 to:
Tonya Hughes, Team Lead
Mailing Address:  60 Moodie Drive
Nepean ON K1A 0K2
E-mail:  psp4cdtcconsultationspspci4div@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

Section 82 Determination – Department of National Defence (DND) Relocated Infrastructure Project at the 4th Canadian Division Training Center (4 CDTC) in Meaford, Ontario

The DND will be making an Environmental Effects Determination under section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) for a project located at the 4 CDTC in Meaford, Ontario.

TransCanada Energy Corporation (TCE) approached DND with a proposal to construct a 1,000-megawatt pumped storage hydroelectric facility (Ontario Pumped Storage Project) on 4 CDTC lands. DND has not made a determination if the Ontario Pumped Storage Project can be accommodated at 4 CDTC.

DND's on-going assessment has determined that the current proposed placement of the Ontario Pumped Storage Project would require the demolition and relocation of some existing 4 CDTC facilities (herein referred to as the "DND Relocated Infrastructure Project"). The DND Relocated Infrastructure Project includes training ranges, buildings, sports and recreation fields, helicopter landing areas, access roads, communication towers, and utilities, etc. The DND Relocated Infrastructure Project covers developed and undeveloped land located within the boundaries of 4 CDTC. The land consists of wetlands, watercourses, forested areas, and open fields. The areas proposed for development have been assessed and depending on location, include varying degrees of species at risk (SAR), bat roosting habitat, monarch butterfly habitat, western chorus frog habitat, butternut trees, wetlands and watercourses, SAR and migratory bird habitat.

It has been determined by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) that DND‘s Relocated Infrastructure Project is a separate project from the Ontario Pumped Storage Project. Therefore, DND's Relocated Infrastructure Project will be assessed under the IAA independent of the Impact Assessment for the Ontario Pumped Storage Project that may be required by TCE. Since DND's Relocated Infrastructure Project is proposed to take place on federal land administered by DND, it triggers the requirements under section 82 of the IAA where DND is one of the Federal Authorities who must determine if carrying out the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will also make a determination on the DND Relocated Infrastructure Project because a Species at Risk Act permit and a Fisheries Act authorization may be required. The DND Relocated Infrastructure Project will only move forward if the proposed Ontario Pumped Storage Project is approved and moves forward.

Only comments related to the DND Relocated Infrastructure Project should be directed to the identified contact. Any comments related to the TCE Ontario Pumped Storage Project should be directed to Ontario Pumped Storage Hydropower Project.