Question Period Note: Pipeline Safety and Spill Response

About

Reference number:
NRCAN -2019-QP-0008
Date received:
Nov 28, 2019
Organization:
Natural Resources Canada
Name of Minister:
O'Regan, Seamus (Hon.)
Title of Minister:
Minister of Natural Resources

Suggested Response:

• Canadians depend on the federal government to ensure that Canada’s oil and gas pipelines are built securely, and operate safely.
• We place the highest priority on health, safety, and environmental protection in all aspects of the oil and gas industry.
• That is why we put in place the Pipeline Safety Act, which came into force in June 2016, creating a culture of safety across Canada’s oil and gas sector.
• Companies are held liable regardless of fault and are required to have the resources to respond to incidents.
• We will continue to strengthen our pipeline safety system, including through the new Canadian Energy Regulator Act.
Supplementary Messages:
• The Canadian Energy Regulator Act includes measures to ensure projects are designed, constructed, operated, and decommissioned in a manner that is safe for the public and the environment.
• Our government has also invested up to $2 million a year to ensure the highest standards for pipeline integrity and for research on pipeline safety, which will help keep Canada’s pipelines safe, secure, and reliable.

Background:

Individuals and non-governmental environmental organizations have expressed concerns about the safety of oil and gas pipelines in Canada.

Additional Information:

None