Supporting new nuclear development
Several new power plants are now under construction across the province. Our role supports an impact assessment for one of the first nuclear projects regulated under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). The site is being repurposed for nuclear generation. Planning began in 2024, with the first phase of aquatic sampling starting in April 2025.
The project requires a clear characterization of existing baseline conditions. “It’s a unique landscape because it has a lot of natural water features running through the property,” says Heidi Currier, Senior Aquatic Toxicologist. “There are five different tributaries and three large wetland areas, a couple of which are classified as provincially important coastal wetland habitats. It’s quite a large undertaking to characterize both the aquatic habitat on land and in the surrounding Lake Ontario shoreline.”
Understanding environmental nuance
To capture seasonal and yearly variation, the team monitors environmental conditions over a two‑year period. This approach allows them to understand natural fluctuations and build a strong baseline before construction begins.
The team uses established techniques alongside specialized tools, including the benthic sled. This equipment, designed in‑house, collects species near the lake bottom and supports a deeper understanding of the benthic environment. The resulting data will then be interpreted by Rina Parker, Director and Environmental Risk Assessment Specialist, and her team.
It’s quite a large undertaking to characterize both the aquatic habitat on land and in the surrounding Lake Ontario shoreline.
“We’re looking at a number of different biological endpoints spanning fish, zooplankton, and benthics,” Heidi explains. “We’ll be characterizing the communities for each of these biological endpoints and supporting habitat characteristics, all of which will feed into Rina’s work, characterizing potential risks to the environment and human health.”
Rina adds, “We need information from not just the aquatic environment but all different environmental disciplines including air, surface water, sediment, soil, fish, and vegetation. We want to know what the existing level of risk to human and ecological health is before the project is even initiated.”
Communication at the core
Strong communication supports each stage of the work. This includes engagement with the client, Indigenous Nations and communities, more than 15 internal specialists, and consulting partners contributing to the broader project.
“Rina and myself have to be in constant communication to make sure I get all the sampling requirements she needs to be able to fulfil her ERA requirements,” Heidi says. “I’m just one of the multiple consultants feeding data into the overall risk assessment. The collaborative effort on this project is huge.”
This collaboration also includes Indigenous monitors joining field crews on sampling boats. Their involvement supports transparency and ensures culturally significant perspectives are considered throughout the process.
We need information from not just the aquatic environment but all different environmental disciplines including air, surface water, sediment, soil, fish, and vegetation.
Adaptability remains essential. Indigenous Nations and communities may request expanded study scopes tied to valued species or cultural priorities. The team makes space for these needs and integrates them directly into the program. They also navigate logistical challenges such as changing weather, including the early onset of winter conditions.
Rina notes, “Commitment to safety and the safety of our crew is most important. Even though we need to collect samples in sometimes non‑optimal weather conditions, we do a lot of problem solving to make sure we have all the safety equipment we need and are comfortable making the right decisions to cancel a program if we are concerned about the safety of our staff.”
Looking ahead
Baseline characterization continues and will inform the next phase of effects assessments. These analyses will identify potential project impacts and outline mitigation strategies. With this foundation, the client will be prepared to move into the next stage of planning with confidence.
More support for nuclear projects
Find out how our aquatic and environmental risk assessment is supporting the refurbishment of a prominent nuclear power station.
