National Engagement Initiative concludes with successful pipeline safety forum

June 3, 2015 – Calgary, Alberta – National Energy Board

Today’s pipeline safety forum marked the conclusion of the National Energy Board’s (NEB) first cross-Canada public engagement initiative that began this past winter.

The NEB’s engagement initiative included meetings with environmental groups, municipal and provincial leaders, Aboriginal groups, first responders, academics, landowner associations as well as professional and industry organizations. The Pipeline Safety Forum brought together key subject matter experts from across the country as attendees and presenters.

“The Canadians I heard from shared many of the same concerns about energy infrastructure. They want their water protected, their land protected, and they want to know that the NEB is good enough to do the job of protecting both, particularly in emergency situations,” said Peter Watson, NEB Chair and CEO. “Our staff share these priorities. The NEB is committed to working with communities across Canada to ensure our energy infrastructure is safe, the environment is protected and emergency response is thorough and responsive.”

The NEB will develop and make public a report on the feedback and NEB actions resulting from the engagement initiative. The report will reflect the cross-country meetings, the Pipeline Safety Forum and the online discussion forum. Feedback from Canadians has already resulted in the NEB launching a public consultation on emergency management transparency and the decision to post NEB inspection reports online.

Engagement and outreach to Canadians will continue to be a top priority of the NEB through its regional offices in Vancouver and Montreal, its hearing processes, and a new focus on engagement and outreach activities with Canadians across the country.

Quick facts

• NEB Chair attended over 70 meetings in 34 cities and towns across 9 provinces and two territories (nearly 40,000 km in six months).
• Online discussion forum garnered over 27,500 views
• Pipeline Safety Forum brought together nearly 400 individuals, experts and organizations from across the country who have a vested interest in safe energy regulation in Canada. For a full list of presenters, visit our Speakers page.

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada’s energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.

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Contacts

For further information:

Erin Dottor
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
E-mail: erin.dottor@neb-one.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-299-3712
Cellular: 403-827-6323
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663

Steven Rowe
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
E-mail: steven.rowe@neb-one.gc.ca
Telephone: 514-240-0469
Cellular: 403-470-1608
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663

NT4