Environmental Assessment Process

Ontario Northland has been working to complete an Environmental Project Report in accordance with Ontario Regulation 231/08 for the Timmins-Porcupine Station Project. Further to the Notice of Issue that was provided to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on September 20, 2024 indicating that a time out from the 120-day consultation period was being taken, Ontario Northland has now resumed the transit and rail project assessment process as of March 28, 2025. As required under Ontario Regulation 231/08, the date by which the Notice of Completion of the Environmental Project Report for this project must be given has been extended to April 3, 2025. During the suspension period, Ontario Northland continued to address matters of provincial importance related to the natural environment and cultural environment, specifically the Air Quality Assessment and Archaeological Assessments respectively.

Notice of Completion: Timmins-Porcupine Station Environmental Project Report

Ontario Northland is an agency of the Province of Ontario responsible for providing efficient, safe, and reliable transportation services in Northern Ontario. Ontario Northland is reinstating passenger rail service between Toronto (Union Station) and Northeastern Ontario, which includes a new station in the City of Timmins. The passenger train service, also known as the Northlander, will fundamentally shift how people move across the province, creating a more connected, integrated transportation network.

 

The Project

A new Timmins-Porcupine Station (the Project) is being planned as part of the reinstated Northlander Passenger Rail service and will be located along the existing rail corridor, within the City of Timmins, just west of Bob’s Lake. Station elements will include: train platform, station building, outdoor parking, pedestrian walkway, bus bays, a taxi stand, designated passenger pick-up and drop-off area, and a municipal bus stop. The study area includes reserved land that may be required for a future bus storage and maintenance facility. This future facility will require an impact assessment and consultation.

For additional information, please visit: https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/en/travel/northlander-passenger-train

 

 

30-Day Public Review:
April 3, 2025 to May 5, 2025

The environmental impact of the transit project was assessed, and an EPR was prepared, in accordance with the Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process (TRPAP) as prescribed in Ontario Regulation 231/08 (made under the Environmental Assessment Act). The Timmins-Porcupine Station EPR is now available for a 30-day public review period on the project website at https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/en/northlander

Interested persons are encouraged to review the document(s) and provide comments by May 5, 2025 to:
Krystal Perepeluk
Director - Passenger Rail
555 Oak St. E., North Bay, ON, P1B 8E3
Tel: 705-471-6813 | E-mail: Krystal.Perepeluk@Ontarionorthland.ca


There are circumstances where the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has the authority to require further consideration of the transit project or impose conditions on it. These include if the Minister is of the opinion that:

  • The transit project may have a negative impact on a matter of provincial importance that relates to the natural environment or has cultural heritage value or interest, or
  • The transit project may have a negative impact on the existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Before exercising the authority referred to above, the Minister is required to consider any written objections to the transit project that are received within 30 days after the Notice of Completion of the EPR is first published.

If you have discussed your issues with Ontario Northland and you object to this transit project you can provide a written submission to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks by no later than May 5, 2025, to the address provided below. All submissions must clearly indicate that an objection is being submitted and describe any negative impacts to matters of provincial importance (natural/cultural environment) or Aboriginal rights. Objections must be received 30 days after the Notice of Completion of the EPR is first published.


Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Environmental Assessment Branch
Attention: Cindy Batista, Special Project Officer
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Fl, Toronto, ON, M4V 1P5
Tel: 437-248-0058 | E-mail: EABDirector@ontario.ca

Comments and information regarding the Timmins- Porcupine Station Project are being collected to assist in meeting the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. All personal information included in a submission – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, maintained and disclosed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for the purpose of transparency and consultation. The information is collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act or is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public as described in s. 37 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential. For more information, please contact MECP Freedom of Information Privacy Coordinator at 416-327-1434.

 

 

This Notice was first issued on April 3, 2025.

Documents