Sayisi Dene First Nation Off-Grid Integrated Renewable Generation Project

27 June, 2025 - Natural resources Canada (NRCan), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have issued their Notice of Determination, which indicates that the Sayisi Dene First Nation Off-Grid Integrated Renewable Solar Generation Project (the Project) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.  

Notice of Determination: 

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have determined that the Sayisi Dene First Nation Off-Grid Integrated Renewable Generation Project (the Project) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.  

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors: 

• Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples.  
• Changes to the environment and the impact of these changes on the Indigenous peoples of Canada and on health, social or economic conditions resulting from project activities. 
• Comments received from the public. 
• Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures. 

Potential project impacts identified include: 

• Impacts to migratory birds through vegetation clearing;
• loss of federally listed plant species at risk, through vegetation clearing;
• spread of invasive species with vegetation clearing & construction activities;
• changes to permafrost through trenching & solar racking system;
• disturbances to wetlands
• Harm to wildlife, birds, and humans from components of the solar PV array during operation
• Changes to permafrost due to trenching
• Hazardous materials spills
• Fire in battery or ancillary electrical equipment
• Vehicle accidents
• Increased noise

Mitigation measures for this determination are:  

• clearing of vegetation outside of the migratory bird breeding period and non-intrusive search methods for nests will be conducted if the construction/installation of the Project takes place during the nesting season (May 3rd and August 14th). If discovered, buffers will be put around the nests until the young have fledged;
• applying appropriate setbacks if plant species at risk are discovered;
• Inspection of vehicles, materials, equipment, and personnel, to prevent inadvertent transport of weeds and/or invasive species;
• minimizing trenching and refilling the trench with native fill as well as using a solar racking system designed for permafrost conditions;
• Avoiding wetlands and watercourses and apply best management practices and appropriate mitigation measures if wetlands are encountered;
• Enclosing and insulating electrical components and fencing the solar array to prevent harm to birds, wildlife, and humans
• Limiting depth of trenching;
• Preventing and properly managing any material spills;
• Preventing vehicle accidents;
• Minimizing noise.

NRCan, ISC, and ECCC are satisfied that the carrying out of the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects and thus are able to provide financial assistance to the Proponent, to undertake the Project. 

December 9, 2024 - The public comment period for the project is now closed. 

November 7, 2024 - Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada are inviting comments from the public on the proposed Sayisi Dene First Nation Off-Grid Integrated Renewable Generation Project to help inform their determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act.