Municipality of Meaford Council took a key step yesterday to help ensure TC Energy considers the community’s best interests for its proposed pumped storage project on Department of National Defence lands by approving the hiring of two consulting companies to provide professional expertise. At the meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023, Council approved the hiring of StrategyCorp and the Ainley Group.

StrategyCorp, a government relations and management consulting firm, will be focused on negotiating a community benefit agreement that will outline commitments of TC Energy and the Municipality. The Ainley Group, an Ontario-based engineering and planning consulting firm, will conduct independent peer reviews of TC Energy’s studies and other work, specifically coordinating the Municipality’s review of studies required as part of the Environmental Assessment process.

The consultants are retained by the Municipality, working exclusively on its behalf, with all costs paid directly by the Municipality. Because the required professional expertise related to this project will involve significant new costs, TC Energy will reimburse the Municipality for the costs incurred to review and engage with them on the project. This is common practice where large corporations propose larger projects in smaller, rural communities.

“We know this project could affect our community in a number of ways. These firms will help us understand potential impacts, review research for validity and advocate for our shared needs and concerns,” said Mayor Ross Kentner. “Without having direct approval authority, it's crucial that we have a voice through the review of environmental assessment documentation and a community benefits agreement.”

source: media release