Canton MacNider Wind
Located in the municipalities of Saint-Damase and Saint-Noël, in the territory of the MRC of La Matapédia, Quebec.
Project Overview
Canton MacNider Wind Project
The Canton MacNider wind project is located in the municipalities of Saint-Damase and St-Noël, in the La Matapédia RCM region of Quebec. Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.
To date, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was filed on February 13, 2024, and the notice of admissibility was issued on December 9, 2024. A public consultation period was held from January 8 to February 7, 2025, including a public information session organized by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) on January 28, 2025. Currently, the BAPE has received a mandate from the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks to hold a public hearing on the project. This mandate began on April 22, 2025, for a maximum duration of four months (see BAPE webpage ).
The project team also filed an application for authorization with the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec (CPTAQ) on April 9, 2024. A preliminary orientation was issued on August 23, 2024, followed by a virtual meeting with the CPTAQ on January 22, 2025, to present observations and provide additional information regarding the initial application. The final decision was issued on March 19, 2025.
If you have any questions for the Project team, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Project Summary
The Canton MacNider Wind Farm Project, proposed by Canton MacNider Wind Farm SEC (PECMN), is a 122.32 MW wind energy project planned for the municipalities of Saint-Damase and Saint-Noël, within the MRC of La Matapédia, Quebec. The project will feature a network of wind turbines, access roads, an electrical collector system, a substation, an operations and maintenance building, and a switching station.
Spanning a project lifespan of over 25 years, the facility is designed to support Quebec’s renewable energy goals by delivering clean, reliable electricity to the grid. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, with commercial operations expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Consulting Activities
The Canton MacNider wind farm project reached an important milestone in the impact study process by obtaining a notice of admissibility from the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) on December 9, 2024.
The public consultation period ran from January 8 to February 7, 2025. As part of this, the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) organized a public information session on January 28, 2025, at the Saint-Damase Community Center. To date, the BAPE has received a mandate from the Minister to hold a public hearing on the project. This mandate, lasting a maximum of four months, began on April 22, 2025. To follow the progress of the file, we invite you to consult the BAPE website .
We strongly believe in the importance of open and active dialogue with our neighbors. We are committed to building trusting relationships with the communities where we operate and to keeping residents informed of all stages of the Canton MacNider Wind Project.
To learn more about the project and review information shared with the community, we encourage you to visit this website regularly. Updates will be posted throughout the project’s progress.
Public Meetings / Events
Information on the current public hearing
Information from the public information session of January 28, 2025
Archives
Information on the open evening on Thursday, October 3, 2024
Information on the open evening on Thursday, September 28, 2023
Project Documentation
Before construction can begin on a major utility facility or wind farm of economic importance in the province of Quebec, authorization under the Environment Quality Act must be obtained. All project documents associated with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application are available on the website of the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks at the following internet address –
- Environmental Assessment Registry – Canton MacNider Wind Project
- BAPE File – Canton MacNider Wind Farm Project
The majority of the Project’s infrastructure is located within a protected agricultural zone and requires authorization from the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec (CPTAQ) under the Act respecting the preservation of agricultural land and activities (LPTAA) (LRQ, c. P-41.1). An application was filed on April 9 with the two municipalities concerned and both files can be consulted at the following links –
Environmental impact study
The project documentation relating to the environmental assessment is posted in the Environmental Assessment Registry in accordance with the Environment Quality Act (EQA). The environmental impact study for the Canton MacNider wind project was filed on February 13, 2024.
Request for authorization from the CPTAQ
Find below the latest documents filed with the CPTAQ for the authorization request.
- Canton MacNider Wind Project – Supplementary Report to the Application for Authorization (June 18, 2024)
- Appendix 1 – Location plan
- Appendix 2 – removed due to personal/confidential information
- Appendix 3 – description of the areas covered by section 1
- Appendix 4 – description of the areas covered by section 2
- Appendix 5 – description of the areas covered by section 3
- Appendix 6 – Summary sheets
- Appendix 7 – Inventory of maple groves
Final decision
The final decision was filed on March 19, 2025 and is available on the CTPAQ website at the following link .
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ )
Why battery storage?
With demand for clean energy expected to outpace Ontario’s current generation capacity over the next decade, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions that will help meet our energy needs while contributing to our province’s climate change goals.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is the operator of Ontario’s electricity grid and is undertaking a procurement process to identify Battery Energy Storage solutions to meet the needs of Ontario’s increasing electricity demand.
How battery energy storage systems work
Battery Energy Storage Systems charge a battery bank during hours of surplus energy generation in the grid, then discharge the battery bank during energy deficit hours to meet grid demand.
Storing energy when demand is low and releasing it when it is high optimizes the efficiency of our grid by creating a steady, affordable supply of energy when and where we need it most.
This solution will maximize the efficiency of our existing energy assets by increasing supply while reducing emissions.
BESS systems have numerous benefits to the overall stability of our electricity grid:
- Manages peak loads
- Maximizes efficiency of existing energy assets
- Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to lower emissions and cleaner air
- Balances generation of intermittent resources such as wind and solar
- In practical terms, can help avoid grid outages and blackouts
What is the expected construction timeline and major activities for the Brentwood Battery Energy Storage Project?
Straightforward construction over a four to six month period, to begin in late 2026. Major construction activities to include delivery of factory assembled battery containers and components, installation, and Hydro One interconnection.
Industry Information
CANADIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION (CanREA)
Wind Facts
health
- Study on wind turbine noise and health: summary of results (Health Canada)
- Health effects of wind turbines: a literature review (article published in the scientific journal Environmental Health)
Contact Information
E-mail : CantonMacNiderWind@clearlightenergy.com