Consultation
In keeping with the MTO Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000), consultation is mandatory during the consideration of design concepts for a Group B Project. Throughout the Preliminary Design and Class EA Study, the Project Team will consult with the general public, Indigenous Communities, provincial and other external agencies, Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), the City of Ottawa, emergency services providers (i.e., fire, police and ambulance), local businesses and property owners, interest groups and utility companies (collectively referred to as interested and / or affected stakeholders). Specifically, consultation will be carried out to:
- Identify concerns;
- Identify and confirm regulatory agency mandates;
- Identify and collect relevant information about the existing environment; and
- Provide information to interested and / or affected stakeholders about the project.
The overall consultation program will involve issuance of four formal Notices at key stages in the process as follows:
- Study Commencement;
- Public Information Centre No. 1;
- Public Information Centre No. 2; and
- Notice of Study Completion to announce submission of the Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR), and the 30-day public comment period.
Two Public Information Centres (PICs) are planned at key milestones during the process to provide opportunity for interested and / or affected stakeholders to learn more about the Study process and to discuss issues or concerns directly with members of the Project Team. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the drop-in style PIC format will likely be adjusted to an online (virtual) approach. This will be confirmed in advance of the first PIC and the most suitable approach for moving forward selected at that time.
Online PIC No. 1 is planned for April 2022, to provide the community with an opportunity to share information and seek input regarding the project and the alternatives being considered. Online PIC No. 1 began on April 8, 2022 with a comment period ending on April 30, 2022. Online PIC No. 1 introduces the project and the Class EA Study process, provides background information, describes the challenge/opportunity (or need and justification), details the existing natural, socio-economic, cultural and technical conditions within the Study Area (including any constraints), displays the Preliminary Design Alternatives and shows the evaluation criteria to be used to assess the alternatives and the next steps.
PIC No. 2 began on November 28, 2022 with a comment period ending on December 19, 2022, to present and receive input on the results of the evaluation/analysis of Preliminary Design Alternatives and selection of the Technically Preferred Alternative - the Recommended Plan for the Highway 416 interchange at Barnsdale Road. A summary of the environmental issues, recommended environmental protection and mitigation measures, and commitments to future works will be presented. PIC No. 2 provides an opportunity for attendees to provide their input on the Recommended Plan. In addition, they will be able to elaborate on topics discussed in PIC No. 1 and to discuss issues or concerns directly with members of the Project Team.
Displays and presentation materials are available in the Documents tab. Additional materials will be made available as the Class EA Study progresses.
All Notices have been/will be published in the following local newspapers:
- Ottawa Citizen (English); and
- Le Droit (French).
The Notices will also be posted on this website and sent directly to all contacts on the Project Mailing List. Stakeholder input will be incorporated into the project findings and recommendations as appropriate.
- If you wish to be added to the Project Mailing List;
- If you have any comments or questions; and/or
- If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this Study.