Consultation / Engagement

Consultation and Indigenous community engagement is an important part of the Class Environmental Assessment process. Consultation and engagement provides opportunities for two-way communication between the Project Team and interested stakeholders and communities, and enables the identification of potentially significant matters during the decision-making process.

Our engagement and consultation program includes a variety of traditional and innovative techniques to increase stakeholder awareness and participation, as outlined below.

Notifications

Throughout the study, a variety of notification methods (i.e., newspaper advertisements [virtual and paper copies], mail delivery, and this website) will be used to notify interested stakeholders about the study progress at key project milestones, including re-commencement, Public Information Centres, and the availability of each of the Transportation Environmental Study Reports (TESRs) for the 30-day public review.

Newspaper notices will be published in the Kenora Miner & News and Wawatay News.

Public Information Centres

Public Information Centres (PICs) will be held throughout the planning process to allow the public opportunities to review and comment on project details.  The PICs will be an open house format where those interested can review the progress of the project through the design and planning process, provide input to the study, and exchange information with the Project Team.

– UPDATE –

Public Information Centre #2 (Section 2)

Following a detailed route evaluation using input received through public engagement and discussions with Indigenous communities, the project team has recommended a preferred alternative to establish a four-lane divided Highway 17, within the limits for Section 2. The recommended preferred alternative focuses on minimizing impacts to Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and the environment. The PIC provided an opportunity to review and provide input and comment on the recommended preferred alternative. The materials presented at the PIC also provided an overview of the evaluation process that was undertaken, as well as the proposed project access roads.

PIC #2 was held as follows:

Date: Thursday July 4, 2024
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location / Address: Super 8 Motel – 240 Lakeview Drive, Kenora

PIC #2 was an in-person, open house format with project team representatives from MTO and WSP available to answer questions, as well as discuss and receive comments. Interested persons were encouraged to attend to learn about the project and provide input to ensure that concerns can be addressed by the project team as the study progresses.

The PIC #2  recorded presentation, is available in virtual format following this link:

PIC#2  Part 1: https://youtu.be/qKbmetLW6HY

PIC#2  Part 2: https://youtu.be/iBAZdCWoC2M 

The materials presented at the PIC #2 can be found here:

Hwy 17 Kenora – PIC 2 – Section 2 Preferred Alternative

Hwy 17 Four Laning Section 2 – PIC 2 Display Boards

Comments can be provided through the Contact Us page on this website or by sending a separate letter or email to the Project Team email address (project-team@4lanehighway17kenora.ca). Comments on the PIC#2 materials are accepted anytime but appreciated by August 5, 2024.

September 20, 2023 Public Information Centre (Section 2)

The Project Team has identified potential alternatives to establish a four-lane divided Highway 17, within the limits for Section 2, with a focus on minimizing impacts to Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and the environment. A PIC was held to present the alternatives and provide interested parties, Indigenous communities, and the public an opportunity to review and provide input on the existing environmental conditions and the alternatives, including modifications to existing access roads.

PIC #1 was held as follows:

Date: Wednesday September 20, 2023
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location / Address: Moncrief Construction Sports Centre, 18 Mike Richards Way, Kenora, ON P9N 1L2

PIC #1 was an in-person, open house format with project team representatives from MTO and WSP available to answer questions, as well as discuss and receive comments. We encouraged interested persons to attend to learn about the project and provide input to ensure that concerns can be addressed by the project team as the study progresses.

PIC #1 materials are available in virtual format on this webpage beginning on September 21, 2023. The materials presented at the PIC #1 can be found here: Highway 17 Four Laning Section 2 PIC #1 Display Boards Sept 2023.

Comments can be provided through the Contact Us page on this website or by sending a separate letter or email to the Project Team email address (project-team@4lanehighway17kenora.ca). Comments on the PIC#1 materials are accepted anytime but appreciated before the end of November, 2023.

As this study progresses, further consultation and engagement will be held with the relevant external agencies, Indigenous communities, municipal representatives, local community groups, and business representatives. Materials presented at previous PICs for this study can be found here: Hwy 17 Manitoba to Kenora – PIC 1.S1 Boards.

 

Notices published to date:

 

If you have comments or wish to be added to the contact list, feel free to contact us.