Author Archives: Christine Laing

About Christine Laing

B.A. Hons (Calgary), LL.B. (Calgary). Sessional Instructor. Acting Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Clinic. Active Member of the Alberta Bar. Presently, she is a member of the Association for Canadian Clinical Legal Education, serves on the Executive Committee of the Canadian Bar Association Environmental Law Section (Alberta South), and sits on the Justice Sector Constellation of the Enough for All poverty reduction strategy.

The Canada Energy Regulator Protects Trans Mountain from Canadians

By: Christine Laing & Drew Yewchuk

PDF Version: The Canada Energy Regulator Protects Trans Mountain from Canadians

Decision Commented On: Decision on Trans Mountain’s Request for Confidential Treatment dated 29 April 2021

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER or Commission) has the statutory duty to assess financial resources plans filed by operating pipeline companies each year and determine whether those resources remain sufficient to cover the company’s expected liabilities if a pipeline spills. The written review process is open to the public through postings on the CER’s website. Trans Mountain requested an exception to the typical public filing process, asking the CER to keep their insurers confidential going forward. On April 29, 2021, the CER granted the request by making an order under section 60 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, SC 2019, c 28, s 10 (CER Act) to keep the identity of Trans Mountain’s insurers confidential. The decision pertains to the insurance in place to cover liability for the operating Trans Mountain pipeline, not liability associated with its decommissioning or liability associated with the construction or operation of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. Continue reading →