Panel Video Transcript
SHEILA: Bonjour, thank you for taking the time to listen to us. We are the Joint Review Panel members who've been assigned to look at the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project.
My name is Sheila Leggett and I'm the Panel Chair. My Panel mates are Kenneth Bateman and Hans Matthews.
The National Energy Board and the federal Minister of the Environment have assigned us to look at this proposed project.
KENNETH: We're an independent panel, supported by staff, and we're here to listen to all interested people and to make an assessment of whether or not this project should proceed in the public interest. Our decision will be based on information placed on the public record during this processyour participation is important to us.
HANS: The proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project covers a vast area between Alberta and British Columbia. It isn't a small project and the scale of it is something we're all aware of. That's why it's being held up to the rigors of a joint review process.
The joint review process involves the most in-depth environmental review available under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. It combines the processes of both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the National Energy Board to create one process that works together.
SHEILA: As a Panel, we're focused at this stage on making sure that we have an open, fair and transparent process. Our job is to make sure that everyone who wants to talk to us about this project has an opportunity to be heard.
We'll take whatever time it takes to ensure that everybody's views are heard and we will make sure that they're considered as we reach our decision. The decision we need to reach is whether or not this project is in the Canadian public interest. That means that we're asking ourselves whether or not Canadians would be better off with or without this project.
HANS: And when we consider that question, we're looking at a wide range of issues from safety and the environment to economic matters and the impact on local communities and individuals. We know that for many of you, public safety and environment are a real concern. You can be assured that these elements will be taken into consideration in our review. Safety and protecting the environment are the top two goals of the National Energy Board.
KENNETH: There are going to be opportunities for you to provide comments on many issues arising at various stages of the process. We're interested in understanding what you think and how you believe this proposed project impacts you.
As Sheila mentioned earlier, public participation is very important and will assist the panel in coming to a decision of whether or not this project is in the public interest. And we can only consider information that has been placed on the public record. So please, take time and make sure that you communicate your views and comments to this Panel.
SHEILA: That's right Kenneth. We personally read and listen to all the information that's on the public record. This is the only information that we use when we reach our decisions. That's why it's so important that people become involved in this process.
On behalf of Hans, Kenneth and myself, thank you very much for your interest in this process and for getting involved.
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