Federal agency approves the gas/diesel plant on the Isthmus

Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton says she’s not surprised that the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has decided no further federal review is needed for the proposed 500 MW gas/diesel generating plant on the Chignecto Isthmus.

“The decision is not unexpected,” Mitton said Friday in a telephone interview, “but it certainly wasn’t what I was hoping for.”

She added that it’s now more important than ever that the province launch its own comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA).

“I really don’t get the sense that they want to do a comprehensive EIA,” Mitton said, referring to a letter she received from Environment Minister Gilles LePage in which he noted that “comprehensive reviews are generally required for large scale projects like mines, refineries, nuclear power, etc.”

“However, I strongly believe that they should do a comprehensive review that would include the potential impact on human health,” she added.

IAAC decision

In its decision released Friday, the Impact Assessment Agency indicated it was satisfied by the American company PROENERGY’s responses to concerns raised by Indigenous groups, members of the public and a wide-range of environmental organizations.

The company, that would build and operate the big generating plant, promised “to continue its engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations and provide responses to their questions and concerns.”

It also promised to incorporate a Mi’gmaq Rights Impact Assessment into the project and address concerns about potential effects on moose, black ash and bald eagles — species that the Impact Agency identified as culturally significant species for Mi’kmaq.

PROENERGY provided the following response to concerns about the potential effects on migratory birds:Left-hand column outlines concerns noted by the IAAC with the right column listing PROENERGY’s responses

Barry Rothfuss, executive director of the Atlantic Wildlife Institute, says it’s disappointing that the Impact Assessment Agency ignored many of the concerns raised in 270 public comments that included detailed ones from organizations such as Birds Canada, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.

Rothfuss himself filed a formal complaint with the Impact Assessment Agency over PROENERGY’s erroneous claim that the Mi’kmaq were co-owners of the project.

He says the IAAC responded that they have referred his complaint to their legal division.

“Even if it’s already been approved and moved on, they’re still accountable under the law for making false claims within their proposal,” he adds.

“So, that may catch up with them later on.”

Megan Mitton says she’s also concerned about the misrepresentation of Indigenous support for the project.

“I think that’s extremely problematic and is yet another reason that the premier should help pull the plug on this gas plant,” she says.

Bruce Wark worked in broadcasting and journalism education for more than 35 years. He was at CBC Radio for nearly 20 years as senior editor of network programs such as The World at Six and World Report. He currently writes for The New Wark Times, where a version of this story first appeared on September 19, 2025.