Trans Mountain Expansion Project Ministerial Panel Delivers Report
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Hon. Jim Carr, released the report from the Ministerial Panel on the proposed Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) Project and the accompanying report summarizing more than 35,000 responses to the TMX online questionnaire.
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“I would like to thank the panel members for their tireless work on this project, both in conducting the meetings and in compiling the report. I also thank the thousands of Canadians who made their opinions known during this process,” Carr said. “This information will be an important element for the Government in making our decision, taking into consideration the balance between growing the middle class and our economy, while protecting the environment.”
The Nov. 3 release fulfils a promise made in January that the views of the public and affected communities would be sought and considered, under the five interim principles introduced for projects undergoing review while longer-term regulatory reforms are underway.
“On behalf of myself and my colleagues, Mr. Tony Penikett and Dr. Annette Trimbee, I would like to thank Minister Carr for the opportunity to engage with local communities and Indigenous groups along the proposed route through Alberta and British Columbia,” said Kim Baird, chair of the panel. “Our role as the Ministerial Panel has been both challenging and enlightening as we heard strong and diverse views from Canadians across the country on this proposed pipeline project.”
The Ministerial Panel, composed of Kim baird, Tony Penikett and Dr. Annette Trimbee, was tasked with engaging local communities and Indigenous peoples to identify whether there were any additional views not heard during the National Energy Board’s (NEB) review process that could be relevant to the Government of Canada’s final decision on the project.
The panel held 44 public meetings in 11 Alberta and British Columbia communities along the proposed pipeline and marine shipping route. More than 650 Canadians spoke or made presentations to the panel at these public meetings, which were attended by 2,400 people. In addition, the panel received more than 20,000 email submissions and 35,200 responses to an online questionnaire.
“We have done our best to reflect these views accurately in our report to Minister Carr, which will help the Government of Canada make a decision on this project that is in the interest of Canadians,” Baird said. “Our work as panel members has now concluded. We would like to sincerely thank all Canadians who chose to engage with us, whether in person or online, for their contributions to this important discussion.”
The government will make its final decision on the TMX project by Dec. 19, 2016. In making this decision, the government will consider the panel’s report, responses to the online questionnaire, the NEB’s recommendation report, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s assessment of upstream greenhouse gas emissions and extensive Crown consultations that were undertaken with Indigenous peoples.
Online Questionnaire Final Report
Upstream Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment
NRCan’s news releases and backgrounders are available at news.gc.ca.
Tags: Canada, NEB, Trans Mountain Expansion, Trans Mountain Pipeline
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