Trans Mountain is committed to ongoing engagement throughout the life of the Project and we began our community engagement in May 2012 immediately following the announcement of the proposed Expansion Project. The stakeholder engagement program is designed to foster participation from the public who have an interest in the Project and followsdefined principles.Trans Mountain has been having wide-ranging discussions with communities,Aboriginal groups,landowners, and stakeholders since May 2012. Details about theactivities and results to date are available for review.
This open, extensive and thorough engagement is a vital component of the proposed Project because we believe that your feedback, questions, concerns and comments will help us develop a better proposal and ultimately a better Project.
From one-on-one meetings to community group discussions, to public information sessions and online opportunities, there are many ways for people to ensure the Project team hears their views about the proposal.Engagement opportunities to share your views and ask questions are always available.If Trans Mountain’sApplication to the National Energy Board (NEB) is successful, the engagement process will continue into theconstruction period and throughout the life of the Project.
The stakeholder engagement program has adopted a phased approach and each phase has been further developed and refined in response to information gathered from the previous phase as well as identified interests and needs.The stakeholder engagement program consists of six phases, which include:
- Phase 1 Engagement — Stakeholder and issue identification, May 2012 to September 2012
- Phase 2 Engagement — Public information and input gathering, October 2012 to January 2013
- Phase 3 Engagement — Community conversations, February 2013 to July 2013
- Phase 4 Engagement — Feedback to stakeholders and application filing, August 2013 to December 2013
- Phase 5 Engagement — Regulatory process to in service, January 2013 to in service
- Phase 6 Engagement — Operational consultation
The program seeks meaningful input from stakeholders regarding theproposed pipeline corridor,environmental effects and socio economic effects andbenefits. The program also shares timely information with stakeholders to keep them informed throughout the process.To date, the Project team has received feedback from public open houses, workshops, one-on-one meetings, public presentations, online discussion forums and comment forms, and directly through email and telephone contact. Feedback collected has helped shape aspects of the Project. Key topics and issues are relayed to the appropriate Project team representative to be considered and incorporated in the Project design where applicable.
In our discussions with communities, feedback was sought on the following:
- Determining what should be included in the scope of the environmental and socio-economic assessment (ESA)
- Identifying potential mitigation measures to reduce environmental and socio-economic effects
- Identifying the potential benefits associated with the Project communities want to see
- Routing alternatives where it is not practical to follow the existing pipeline system right-of-way
- Emergency response plans on land and water
- Pipeline integrity and safety considerations for pipeline and facility construction
Future consultation will include providing communities with information on construction impacts and mitigation measures, workforce hosting and jobs and training opportunities. In addition, Trans Mountain will share detailed information on economic impact and procurement opportunities.
Unless otherwise stated, the stakeholder feedback reported inVolume 3A of the Facilities Application includes engagement activities conducted through Phases 1 to 3, up until July 31, 2013. Phases 4 through 6 will support the regulatory process and, if successful, the construction phases of the Project. Updates to engagement initiatives that continue to occur have been provided periodically to the NEB throughConsultation Update 1,Update 2 andUpdate 3.
Phase 4 included community and economic benefit presentations in conjunction with chambers of commerce, attending events, one-on-one meetings, emergency response workshops and presentations/speaking opportunities. In addition, meetings with local government and interested parties have been ongoing.
Phase 5 will include sharing results of any new studies or work being completed on the Project, to communicate any changes and or updates to Project plans, to share information with stakeholders on the regulatory process and to engage on construction effects and mitigation measures. Additional activities include community readiness discussions that focus on communicating the benefits of the Project to local stakeholders and engaging on environment offsets.
Once the pipeline becomes operational, Phase 6 engagement opportunities will continue through hosting facility open houses, providing newsletters and Project updates, making safety and public awareness presentations, participating in community events, regulatory processes and ongoing informal meetings with stakeholders.
Engagement activities that remain available throughout the duration of the Project include:
Sign up in the footer below to stay informed about new opportunities to participate.
National Energy Board's Process
The National Energy Board (NEB) also runs its own engagement process that began following Trans Mountain’s Facilities Application filing in December 2013. Through this process, the NEB will ask for input and comments from the public on the proposed Project.
The NEB’s engagement process includes a public hearing. Those who would be directly affected by the proposed Expansion Project will have the opportunity to participate in the public hearing. In addition, participant funding was made available from the NEB to assist Intervenors with their participation expenses.
In making a recommendation to the federal cabinet whether the proposed Trans Mountain Expansion Project should proceed, the NEB reviews the Project’s economic, technical and financial feasibility, and its environmental and socio-economic impact.
The NEB will consider all comments gathered during Trans Mountain’s pre-application engagement program as well as comments submitted to the NEB during the regulatory review phase.
