Lanark and Balderson Community Expansion Project

Thank you for viewing the 2nd Virtual Information Session for the Lanark and Balderson Community Expansion Project. This presentation has been prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd. on behalf of Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas).

*This map does not represent the final project scope/design that will provide access to natural gas to end-use customers.

• The presentation slides, as well as the audio script, is available for download (see the Resources tab in the top right corner).
• Questions and comments can be submitted using the questionnaire, also found on the Resources tab, and an Enbridge Gas or Stantec representative will respond.
• If you would like to receive future project updates, please complete the “Contact Information" section of the questionnaire.

Enbridge Gas is dedicated to engaging with Indigenous communities, agencies, interest groups, and community members.

They commit to providing up-to-date information in an open, honest, and respectful manner while carefully considering your input. With over 3.9 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers, Enbridge Gas is committed to delivering natural gas safely and reliably. Environmental stewardship is also a top priority for Enbridge Gas, and they conduct their operations in an environmentally responsible manner.

• Consult with Indigenous communities and engage with members of the public and regulatory authorities regarding the proposed pipeline routes, potential impacts, and proposed mitigation measures.
• Provide an opportunity for these individuals and the public to review the proposed project, ask any questions, and/or provide comments to representatives from Enbridge Gas and Stantec.

Enbridge recognizes the diversity of Indigenous peoples who live where we work and operate. We understand that certain laws and policies have had destructive impacts on Indigenous cultures, languages, and the social and economic well-being of Indigenous peoples. We also recognize the importance of reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and broader society. We are committed to building positive and sustainable relationships with Indigenous peoples based on trust and respect and are focused on finding common goals through open dialogue.

The Indigenous engagement program is based on adherence to the OEB’s Guidelines and Enbridge Inc.’s company-wide Indigenous Peoples Policy, which Enbridge Gas follows. Enbridge’s Indigenous Peoples Policy lays out key principles for establishing relationships with Indigenous groups, including:

• Recognizing the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the context of existing Canadian law;
• Recognizing the legal and constitutional rights possessed by Indigenous peoples in Canada and the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional lands and resources;
• Engaging early to achieve meaningful relationships with Indigenous groups by providing timely exchanges of information, understanding and addressing Indigenous project-specific concerns, and ensuring ongoing dialogue regarding its projects, their potential impacts and benefits; and
• Aligning Enbridge’s interests with those of Indigenous peoples through meaningful, direct Indigenous economic activity in projects corresponding to community capacity and project needs, where possible.

• Pipeline routing constraints include natural environmental features, topography, and socio-economic features and landscapes.
• Opportunities to reduce potential impacts include the option to follow existing linear infrastructure such as road allowance.
• The Preliminary Preferred Route and Alternative Routes follow existing linear infrastructure, such as existing municipal road allowance and avoid, to the extent possible, existing environmental and socio-economic features.
• An interactive map that shows these routing alternatives can be accessed below.

*This map does not represent the final project scope/design that will provide access to natural gas to end-use customers.

The Lanark and Balderson Community Expansion Project is proposing to construct new natural gas pipeline to supply the Townships of Lanark Highlands, Tay Valley and Drummond and North Elmsley with reliable natural gas.

• Connects to existing natural gas infrastructure at Highway 511 and Crain Drive.
• Approximately 29 kilometers (km) of natural gas pipeline.
• Approximately 15 km of 4-inch and 6-inch supply lateral pipeline along Highway 511 beginning at Crain Drive and ending at South Street.
• Approximately 9 km of 4-inch distribution pipeline using Canning Street to cross Clyde River.
• Up to 5 km of 2-inch at various locations along the supply lateral.

The majority of the Project will be located within municipal road allowances and may also require easements, temporary working spaces, and lay-down areas during construction.

The alternative routes include six potential routes for the pipeline crossing of the Clyde River, and travel through the community of Lanark. Alternative routes start at Highway 511 and Mill Street (tie into the PPR), and end at Paul Drive and George Street (tie into the Enbridge system).

Alternative Route 1 (AR 1)

From the starting point, the pipeline travels west along Mill Street and crosses the Clyde River via the Mill Street bridge (utility conduit), travels north on Argyle Street South and then east on Hillier Street. The pipeline then travels north on Princess Street, travels east on North Street and then north on George Street ending at Paul Street.

Alternative Route 2 (AR 2)

From the starting point, the pipeline travels west along Mill Street and crosses the Clyde River via the Mill Street bridge (utility conduit), travels north on Argyle Street South and then east on Hillier Street. The pipeline then travels north on Princess Street, travels east on Clarence Street and then north on George Street ending at Paul Street.

Alternative Route 3 (AR 3)

From the starting point, the pipeline travels west along Mill Street and crosses the Clyde River via the Mill Street bridge (utility conduit), travels north on Argyle Street South and then east on Hillier Street to George Street. The pipeline then travels north along George Street ending at Paul Street.

Alternative Route 4 (AR 4)

From the starting point, the pipeline travels west on South Street and heads north on George Street. The pipeline crosses the Clyde River via the George Street bridge (utility conduit) and continues north along George Street ending at Paul Drive.

Alternative Route 5 (AR 5)

From the starting point, the pipeline travels east along South Street and heads north on Canning Street South. At the end of Canning Street South, the pipeline crosses under the Clyde River by horizontal directional drill (HDD) to connect with Canning Street and travels north to Owen Street. The pipeline then travels west along Owen Street and then north on George Street ending at Paul Drive.

Alternative Route 6 (AR 6)

From the starting point, the pipeline travels east along South Street and heads north on Canning Street South. At the end of Canning Street South, the pipeline crosses under the Clyde River by horizontal directional drill (HDD) to connect where Canning Street and Clarence Street intersect. The pipeline then travels west along Clarence Street and then travels north along George Street ending at Paul Drive. This route has been chosen as apart of the Preferred Route.

As part of the planning process, Enbridge Gas has retained Stantec to undertake an Environmental Study for the project. The Environmental Study will fulfill the requirements of the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) “Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction, and Operation of Hydrocarbon Projects and Facilities in Ontario, 8th Edition (2023)”.

The Study will:

• Undertake engagement to understand the views of interested and potentially affected parties.
• Consult with Indigenous communities to understand interests and potential impacts.
• Be conducted during the earliest phase of the Project.
• Identify potential impacts of the Project.
• Develop environmental mitigation and protective measures to avoid or reduce potential impacts.
• Develop an appropriate environmental inspection, monitoring, and follow-up program.

The Environmental Report (ER) for the study is scheduled to be completed in Q2 2025. Once complete, Enbridge Gas plans to file a Leave to Construct (LTC) application with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regarding the Project. The LTC application will include the following information about the Project:

• The need for the Project
• Environmental Report and mitigation measures
• Project costs and economics
• Pipeline design and construction
• Land requirements
• Consultation with Indigenous communities

The OEB’s review and approval are required before the proposed project can proceed. If approved, construction could begin in 2026.

Additional information about the OEB process can be found at:  Ontario Energy Board (oeb.ca) 

• Consultation and engagement are key components of the ER.
• At the outset of the Project, Enbridge Gas submits a Project Description to the Ministry of Energy and Electrification (ENERGY). Upon review, ENERGY determines the potential impacts on Aboriginal or treaty rights and identifies Indigenous communities that Enbridge Gas will consult with during the entirety of the project.
• The consultation and engagement program helps to identify and address Indigenous communities' and stakeholders' concerns, provides information about the Project to the stakeholders, and allows participation in the Project’s review and development process.
• Input from engagement and consultation will help to finalize the pipeline route and mitigation plans for the Project.
• Once the LTC application is made to the OEB, any party with an interest in the project, including members of the public, can participate in the process.

Our Commitment

Enbridge Gas is committed to protecting the health and safety of all individuals affected by our activities.

• Enbridge Gas will provide a safe and healthy working environment and will not compromise the health and safety of any individual.
• The goal is to have no safety incidents and to mitigate impacts on the environment by working with our stakeholders, peers, and others to promote responsible environmental practices and continuous improvement.
• Enbridge Gas is committed to environmental protection and stewardship and recognizes that pollution prevention, biodiversity, and resource conservation are key to a sustainable environment.
• All employees are responsible and accountable for contributing to a safe working environment, for fostering safe working attitudes, and for operating in an environmentally responsible manner.

The natural gas pipeline is designed to meet or exceed the regulations of the Canadian Standards Association (Z662 Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems) and the applicable regulations of the Technical Standards and Safety Association (TSSA).

Pipeline Safety and Integrity

Many steps are taken to ensure the safe, reliable operation of the Enbridge Gas network of natural gas pipelines, including:

• Design, construct, and test pipelines to meet or exceed requirements set by industry standards and regulatory authorities.
• Continuously monitor the entire network.
• Perform regular field surveys to detect leaks and confirm that corrosion prevention methods are working as intended.

After this Virtual Information Session, Enbridge Gas intends to pursue the following schedule of activities:

On behalf of the Project team, thank you for viewing the Virtual Information Session for the Lanark and Balderson Community Expansion Project

If you have any questions or comments, or you would like to be kept up to date on the Project please complete the Questionnaire located in the Resources Tab by April 16, 2025, to ensure that your comments are considered as part of the Environmental Report.

For more information about the proposed project, please visit our project website at:  Lanark & Balderson Community Expansion Project | Ontario | Enbridge Gas 

Rooly Georgopoulos Principal, Environmental Services Stantec Consulting Ltd. 125 Commerce Valley Drive W. #300, Markham ON L3T 7V8 Phone: (905) 415-6367

Email:  LanarkBaldersonEA@stantec.com 

Materials available for download: Click  HERE  to view a recorded version of the presentation. Click  HERE  to view a transcript of the presentation. Click  HERE  to view a slide deck of the presentation. Click  HERE  to view the newspaper notice. Click  HERE  to download a copy of the questionnaire that can be emailed to the project team at  LanarkBaldersonEA@stantec.com