Canada Approves 2 Pipeline Projects, Rejects Another

The Government of Canada has ruled on three major pipeline projects: Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Expansion, Enbridge’s Northern Gateway and Line 3 Replacement.

  • Trans Mountain Expansion Project: The Government of Canada has approved Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project, subject to 157 binding conditions that will address potential Indigenous, socio-economic and environmental impacts, including project engineering, safety and emergency preparedness.
  • Northern Gateway Pipelines Project: The Government of Canada has directed the National Energy Board (NEB) to dismiss Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipelines Project application. It has been determined that the project is not in the public interest, given that it would result in crude oil tankers transiting through the sensitive ecosystem of the Douglas Channel, which is part of the Great Bear Rainforest.
  • Line 3 Replacement Project: The Government of Canada has approved Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project, subject to 37 binding conditions that will address potential Indigenous, socio-economic and environmental impacts.

In making its decision to approve both the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and the Line 3 Replacement Project, the Government of Canada took into consideration a wide variety of information and data, including the NEB’s recommendation report, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s assessment of upstream greenhouse gas emissions, the views of Canadians and enhanced consultations with Indigenous peoples. The report from the Ministerial Panel for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project was also considered.

To address specific interests identified by Indigenous groups and to build on existing partnerships some have with the proponent, the Government of Canada will co-develop advisory and monitoring committees with Indigenous communities to provide ongoing environmental monitoring for each of the two approved projects. The Government of Canada will also establish an Economic Pathways Partnership for each pipeline that will make it easier for Indigenous groups to access existing federal programs that help them participate in and benefit economically from this project.

In reaching its decision to reject the Northern Gateway Pipelines Project, the Government of Canada considered the Joint Review Panel Report, the views of Indigenous communities and those of other Canadians as represented to the Joint Review Panel, as well as the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal.

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