CALGARY – The Joint Review Panel (the Panel) conducting the review of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project will continue with the final hearings for questioning in Prince Rupert, British Columbia starting on 10 December 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (Pacific Time).
The issues that will be subject to questioning in Prince Rupert will be:
- the potential impacts of the project on Aboriginal rights and interests;
- the environmental effects associated with the marine terminal and marine shipping;
- the socio-economic effects associated with the marine terminal and marine shipping;
- the operations, safety, accident prevention and response related to the marine terminal and marine transportation; and
- engagement and consultation.
The Prince Rupert hearing is scheduled to run from 10 to 17 December and will then continue on 4 February 2013 with 10 weeks scheduled in February, March, April and May. Sitting hours for the December session will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). Please see the Panel’s website at www.gatewaypanel.review.gc.ca for more information on all hearing dates and times. The hearing will be broadcast live (in English and French) over the Panel’s website.
The Panel previously held final hearings in Edmonton, Alberta and Prince George, British Columbia. For the complete list of issues subject to questioning at each location, please see Appendix A of Procedural Direction #8 on the Panel’s website.
The Panel anticipates Final Argument (written and oral) to take place from mid-May to late June 2013. Further details will be communicated in the future.
Members of the media are welcome to attend the hearings. Filming, recording and photographing will be allowed within pre-established fixed locations in the hearing room while the hearings are underway. Media reporting or interviews will not be allowed in the hearing room. The Panel may modify the media procedure for the hearings at any time.
The proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project involves the construction of two 1 170-kilometre pipelines running from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia and the construction and operation of the Kitimat Marine Terminal.
The Joint Review Panel for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project is an independent body, mandated by the Minister of the Environment and the National Energy Board. The Panel will assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the application under both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and the National Energy Board Act.
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