Policies and Pipelines: A Historical Exploration into How Canadian Energy Pipeline Regulators Balance Pipeline Development with Public Opinion and Environmental Issues

Abstract

With Pipelines at capacity in Canada, there is a growing need to assess economic development and environmental considerations during the approval process. This paper provides a historical overview of the role of energy pipeline regulators in Canada and the emphasis they have placed on various policy issues such as economic development, environmental considerations, Indigenous treaty rights, and climate change. The analysis of the policy issues explored here relates to the relationship between regulatory policies and pipeline development within Canada’s regulatory process. The complexities of regulatory authorities and jurisdictional issues associated with pipeline development can lead to major projects stalling out, causing significant revenue loss for the country and businesses. Striking a balance between economic benefits, public concern, environmental safety, and the intricacies of the regulatory process has proven to be a challenging task. With the Canadian Energy Regulator succeeding the National Energy Board, there is evidence of the regulator trying to modernize with the times, perhaps weighing the view of the public too heavily opposed to their own analysis.