Question Period Note: Trans Mountain Expansion Project

Trans Mountain Expansion Project

• On June 18, 2019 the Trans Mountain Expansion Project was approved subject to 156 conditions identified by the Canada Energy Regulator.
• We are building upon existing federal initiatives to respond to all 16 recommendations made by the Canada Energy Regulator to government.
• We are consulting with Indigenous groups and are advancing eight accommodation measures that focus on building capacity and long-term relationships, spill prevention, response capacity, cumulative effects fish and fish habitat, and quieter vessels.
• We will continue to work with Indigenous groups, and other partners to ensure the protection of fish, marine mammals and their habitats

• The Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX) would expand the existing Trans Mountain pipeline system between Edmonton, AB and Burnaby, BC. It includes approximately 987 km of new pipeline, new and modified facilities, such as pump stations and tanks, and the reactivation of 193 km of existing pipeline. The Project includes an expansion of the Westridge Marine Terminal to accommodate 34 tankers per month, up from the 5 that are currently loaded at the existing terminal.
• DFO issued a Fisheries Act authorization for the expansion of the Westridge Marine Terminal on September 12, 2019.
• The GIC approved the Project on June 18, 2019. In approving the Project, the Government announced its intentions to address the 16 recommendations made by the Board, as well as eight new accommodation measures to address gaps identified by the FCA decision. The Government is working with Indigenous communities to advance the development and implementation of accommodation measures and actions in response to the 16 recommendations.
• In its review of the Project, the NEB found that there would be significant adverse effects related to increases in marine shipping assessed under the National Energy Board Act with respect to the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW), Indigenous cultural use associated with the SRKW, and direct greenhouse gas emissions from marine vessels.
• The Board made 16 recommendations to the GIC to avoid, mitigate or lessen effects of project-related marine shipping, the Board made these Recommendations to the GIC citing that the NEB does not have regulatory authority over marine shipping and the proponent does not have control of the vessels calling at the Westridge Marine Terminal.
• In Recommendation 5, the Board recommends that an Offset Program be implemented to offset the additional underwater noise and strike risk created by Project-related marine vessels. The Board concludes that the offset approach could bring the significant adverse effects finding on SRKW to a finding of non-significant if and when Project-related shipping effects have been effectively reduced to net-zero in each section of the shipping route.
• On February 22, 2019, the NEB released its Reconsideration report. The Board determined that the Project is in the Canadian public interest and recommended the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, subject to 156 conditions imposed on the proponent.
• The Board reached similar conclusions from its initial report, finding that there would be significant adverse effects related to increases in marine shipping with respect to the SRKW, Indigenous cultural use associated with the SRKW and greenhouse gas emissions from project-related marine vessels.
• DFO and CCG were intervenors in the NEB review and provided specialist and expert information for the construction and operation of the marine terminal, including potential impacts from increased marine shipping.
• On September 26, 2018, the NEB commenced a Reconsideration hearing to address marine shipping concerns raised in the Federal Court of Appeal decision. DFO and CCG were intervenors in the reconsideration process and provided expert specialist advice to the NEB related to our mandates, including aquatic species at risk and marine spill response. The Department responded to numerous requests for information from the NEB and other hearing participants throughout the hearing.
• On August 30, 2018, the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) quashed the GIC decision to approve the TMX Project. The Court found that Canada failed to fulfil the legal duty to consult Indigenous peoples but also that the NEB unjustifiably excluded project-related marine shipping in its review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.
• In advance of the FCA decision, DFO had been working closely with the NEB on watercourse crossings where the NEB is of the view that works, undertakings or activities may cause serious harm to fish. Under the terms of our MOU, DFO remains responsible for issuing any authorizations under the Fisheries Act.
• On May 29, 2018, the Government of Canada announced that it would buy the Trans Mountain pipeline and infrastructure related to the expansion project for $4.5 billion. The sale did not change the role of DFO in relation to the project.
• On September 8, 2017, DFO issued the Fisheries Act authorization for construction of the marine terminal expansion. Although local Indigenous groups opposed the terminal expansion, a judicial review of the authorization was not filed.
• The NEB is responsible for reviewing proposed works, undertakings and activities at TMX watercourse crossings pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between DFO and the NEB on the cooperation and administration of the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act.
• On November 29, 2016, the Governor in Council (GIC) approved the TMX and issued an Order in Council approving the Project subject to 157 conditions identified by the National Energy Board (NEB; now the Canada Energy Regulator).
• In approving the project, the Government of Canada committed to mitigate the impact of additional TMX marine traffic (i.e. underwater vessel noise) before the project begins. DFO and Transport Canada have been working on the review and assessment of measures, including approaches proponents could take to be more active in the direct mitigation of underwater noise from project-related vessel traffic.

Southern Resident Killer Whale
• Our government is committed to the protection of Canada’s resident killer whales and to the recovery of these populations.
• We will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous peoples, key stakeholders, international partners and the province of British Columbia on immediate actions to reduce the impact of marine shipping and assist in the recovery of Southern Resident killer whale population.
• The Government has advanced initiatives to address the three key threats to the Southern Resident killer whale through the $1.59 billion Oceans Protection Plan, the $167.4 million Whales Initiative and $61.5 million in additional measures specific to the Southern Resident killer whale population.
• The Canada Energy Regulator made a recommendation to offset the increased underwater noise and strike risk posed to marine mammals and fish listed under the Species at Risk Act. The Government is currently implementing multiple initiatives in a comprehensive plan of action intended to more than offset the impacts of project-related traffic including vessel noise and strikes.
Fish Kill at the Westridge Marine Terminal
• The protection of aquatic ecosystems is a priority for DFO and we are ensuring that environmental and marine impacts are addressed by the proponent.
• My department is aware of the two separate fish mortality events that occurred recently during impact pile driving at the Westridge Marine Terminal.
• Transmountain’s Environmental Inspector confirmed that underwater noise levels remained below the fish injury threshold. Impact pile driving ceased immediately and the cause of death is still under investigation by Trans Mountain Canada.
• Based upon the information provided to DFO from monitoring activities, it appears that there were no breaches of the conditions set out in the authorization.
• DFO continues to be in communication with TMC to advise on next steps.