Thank you. I apologize.
The CER itself came into being about 15 months ago, replacing the former National Energy Board. I'm new too. I started in this position last summer.
My job is to lead the CER forward with a new strategic plan, new mission and vision, as well as with four core responsibilities, which are safety and environmental oversight, energy adjudication, energy information, and engagement.
I am also focused on delivering the CER's four new strategic priorities, which include reconciliation, data and digital innovation, enhancing Canada's global competitiveness, and building the trust and confidence of Canadians in the CER.
The mandate of the CER is to regulate infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient delivery of energy to Canada and the world, protect the environment, respect the rights of indigenous peoples and provide timely and relevant energy information and analysis.
I'd like to begin by stating that safety is the CER's absolute priority. Our commitment to keeping people safe is at the core of who we are and what we do. As many of you have likely heard, sadly, there was a tragic incident resulting in a worker fatality last week at a Trans Mountain pipeline work site near Edmonton. On behalf of the CER, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and all those affected by this tragedy. This is a truly heartbreaking event and a loss no family should suffer.
I would like to share with the members of this standing committee what the CER has done following this tragedy. Work at this site was halted, and two CER safety specialists were immediately sent to the site. Their role was to provide oversight of the respective investigations of the company and the contractor and to conduct an assessment of risk and non-compliance.
Last Friday the CER issued an inspection officer order to Trans Mountain regarding the incident. As the regulator, we share, along with provincial authorities, responsibility for overseeing occupational health and safety measures for the Trans Mountain expansion project. The lessons learned from this investigation will be used to prevent other tragedies in the future.
Now, turning to the Office of the Auditor General's release of its follow-up audit on the transportation of dangerous goods. The audit focused on the extent to which the CER and Transport Canada followed up on recommendations from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development's 2015 audit focusing on the transportation of dangerous goods.
As Canada's national energy regulator, the CER welcomes this audit, as it verifies that the systems the former NEB implemented in its response to the 2015 audit are in place.
The 2015 audit put the organization on a path to identify what was important and to up its game.
I am pleased that, overall, the OAG found that the CER has largely implemented the recommendations from the last audit and that we have improved our oversight of companies that build and operate pipelines. More specifically, they commended the CER’s operations regulatory compliance application, or ORCA system, that is used to track and document compliance oversight activities. The OAG also noted that we have improved our follow-up measures to make sure companies take corrective actions to address any non-compliance activities.
The OAG did have one recommendation relating to how the CER documents the analysis of filings for the approval of conditions. The OAG recommended that “the Canada Energy Regulator should ensure that it has documented its analysis of companies’ submissions about how pipeline approval conditions have been satisfied”. The CER agrees with the OAG’s recommendation.
We are taking steps to address the OAG's finding and to implement corrective action by the end of 2020. Specifically, we will ensure that the correct documentation is added by updating the guidance to our staff and the systems that we operate.
I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to come before you today to speak about the work of the CER. We are committed to continual improvement, and we will always take on board any measures—like this audit—that can help us become a better regulator.
Before I wrap up, I would like to thank the CER staff, who worked so hard on this audit. Their professionalism and passion are greatly appreciated.
I look forward to your questions.
Thank you.