Help Shape How the St. Lawrence River Region Is Assessed for Future Development

Official title: Regional Assessment of the St. Lawrence River Area Public Notice Public Comment Period on the draft Terms of Reference

Closed Environmental Assessment Environment & Climate Indigenous & Northern
The federal government is working with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke and other First Nations to study how past, present, and future development affects the St. Lawrence River area. They've drafted a plan for how this regional assessment will work. Now they want your feedback on whether the plan covers the right issues and approaches.

Why This Matters

Live near the St. Lawrence? This assessment will shape how future projects—ports, pipelines, industrial facilities—get evaluated in your region. It's a chance to flag environmental concerns before specific projects even get proposed. Indigenous communities have a lead role here, which could set a precedent for how these assessments work across Canada.

What Could Change

This regional assessment will create a baseline understanding of cumulative effects on the St. Lawrence. Future project proposals in the area would need to consider these findings. The Terms of Reference being reviewed will determine what gets studied—water quality, fish habitat, shipping impacts, or other concerns you raise now.

Key Issues

  • Does the draft Terms of Reference cover the right goals and objectives for this regional assessment?
  • What environmental, social, or economic effects should be studied in the St. Lawrence River area?
  • How should Indigenous knowledge and perspectives be incorporated into the assessment?

How to Participate

  1. Read the draft Terms of Reference to understand what the assessment will cover.
  2. Submit your comments through the Regional Assessment home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.
  3. For alternative formats or Indigenous language submissions, email stlawrence-saintlaurent@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.

Events

Date Event Location
March 17, 2025 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM ET Virtual Information Session - Evening Virtual View Details →
March 19, 2025 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM ET Virtual Information Session - Afternoon Virtual View Details →

Key Documents