National Energy Board delivers TMX Reconsideration Report - Statement by the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi on the Release of the National Energy Board's Reconsideration Report for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project

OTTAWA, Feb. 22, 2019 /CNW/ - The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources, today issued the following statement in response to the release of the National Energy Board's (NEB) Reconsideration Report on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) project:

"The Government of Canada has been steadfast in its commitment to do the hard work necessary to move forward in the right way on TMX by following the guidance from the Federal Court of Appeal.

"As a first step, we instructed the NEB to reconsider its recommendation on the project, taking into account the environmental impacts of project-related marine shipping.

"Today, following an intensive 22-week reconsideration process, the NEB submitted its report on the project with an overall recommendation that the Trans Mountain Expansion Project is in the Canadian public interest and should be approved subject to 156 conditions and 16 new recommendations to the Government of Canada. This report marks an important milestone as the Government follows the Federal Court of Appeal's guidance.

"The NEB's 156 conditions and 16 new recommendations will inform our Phase III consultations. To date, Crown Consultation teams have met with over 85 communities and are actively engaging in meaningful, two-way dialogue. I also continue to meet with Indigenous communities to build strong relationships.

"We know how important this process is to Canadians. Moving forward, the Governor in Council will make a decision on TMX once we are satisfied that the Crown has adequately fulfilled its duty to consult. We are hopeful the work we are doing will put us in a strong position to make a decision within the NEB's legislated timeframe.

"We thank the NEB and its staff for their timely work, as well as the intervenors for their participation, and look forward to reviewing this report."

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada