Mr. Speaker, since being elected to this House in October 1993, I have worked to ensure that Canadian landowners can have their concerns heard and considered by the National Energy Board in hearings involving Canadian pipelines.
I am happy to say that the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, CEPA, has introduced changes to the way it communicates with landowners to allow landowner concerns to be heard. This enhanced process will include mediation, when necessary, to ensure that landowner concerns are not only being heard but investigated by independent experts.
This could not have been accomplished without the tireless efforts of the Ontario Pipeline Landowners Association, which is centred in southwestern Ontario.
I look forward to working with CEPA, the Minister of Natural Resources, the OPLA and other landowner groups across the country, and federal and provincial federations of agriculture to ensure that the enhanced process results in safer pipelines for all Canadians.