A coordinated federal/provincial Environmental Assessment was undertaken in accordance with CEAA, the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and the new Ontario Transit Regulation O. Reg. 231/08.

The coordinated EA includes:

• Confirmation of project need and justification
• Documentation of existing environmental conditions
• Examination of alternatives and potential impacts and identification of mitigations (i.e., to natural, social, cultural, economic and physical environments) as part of a recommended plan
• Matters of federal significance in the CEAA process

The EA includes an assessment of valued ecosystem components (VECs), effects of the environment on the project, effects of accidents and malfunction and cumulative effects.  Consultation with nearby communities, approving agencies, authorities such as the hospital complex and First Nations (per O. Reg. 231/08) was essential to the success of the study.

Morrison Hershfield played a key role in ensuring that the objectives of this project are met including ensuring that there is consultation with affected parties, consideration of a reasonable range of alternatives, consideration of environmental effects, systematic evaluation of alternatives and clear documentation.