Government of Canada assigns temporary NEB board members
Jim Carr, Government of Canada minister of natural resources. Photo: JimCarrMP.ca.
NEB has until March 16, 2018, to issue government its final report on Energy East pipeline
The Jim Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced the appointment of three new temporary board members to the National Energy Board (NEB), according to a Government of Canada press release.
The following bilingual individuals have been appointed: Don Ferguson, of New Brunswick; Carole Malo, of Ontario; and Marc Paquin, of Quebec.
Under the National Energy Board Act, the Board Chair or Acting Chair is responsible for assigning members to specific duties.
The NEB is a quasi-judicial body that is independent of the federal government, and set up under federal legislation with a fairly narrow mandate.
That mandate is to review the technical merits of energy infrastructure projects that fall within its purview. The NEB is responsible for the “hard” side of the review process.
Anything outside that purview, the “soft” side – politics, social engagement, upstream GHG emissions, First Nations consultation, etc. – is the responsibility of the Canadian government.
In August, protesters disrupted NEB Energy East pipeline hearings on the first day of the process.
Opponents wanted two of the three panel members to step down after it emerged they had privately discussed the pipeline last year with former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, who at the time was working for TransCanada as a consultant.
These new appointees are qualified to be considered by the NEB for assignment to the Energy East review panel.
The Government of Canada has made a commitment to transparent, merit-based appointments to help ensure gender parity and that Indigenous Canadians and minority groups are better reflected in positions of leadership.
All of the appointments were made following the Government’s new process for appointments to commissions, boards, Crown corporations, agencies and tribunals.
“The National Energy Board is responsible for reviewing important major energy projects. I am confident these three individuals and the skills they bring will ensure the NEB is properly equipped to carry out this important role,” said Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources.
As it stands, the NEB has until March 16, 2018, to issue its final report on Energy East pipeline.
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
