For immediate release
12 June 2013
CALGARY – The Joint Review Panel (the Panel) conducting the review of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project will begin oral final argument in Terrace, British Columbia on 17 June 2013 at the Best Western Plus Terrace Inn at 8:30 a.m. The Panel anticipates that this final stage of the review process will last about two weeks.
There are written and oral components to final argument. The written process was completed on 31 May. Parties (intervenors, government participants and the applicant) had the opportunity to provide written comments on the previously released potential conditions, and share their views with the Panel on the project, including whether the Panel should recommend approval or denial of the proposed project.
In the oral portion of final argument, parties have the opportunity to respond to the written argument of others as well as the oral argument of those who have presented before them. Only parties who submitted written argument will be allowed to participate in the oral process. All parties, with the exception of the proponent, Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, will have up to one hour for oral argument. The proponent will have up to two hours for their oral argument. For further details on the final argument process, please see Procedural Directions #12 and #15 on the Panel's website (www.gatewaypanel.review.gc.ca).
The anticipated sitting hours for oral final argument will be Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any changes to these sitting hours will be announced by the Panel on a daily basis. The sessions will be broadcasted live via an audio feed on the Panel's website in both English and French. Daily transcripts will be prepared and posted to the public registry. Links to the audio broadcast, the public registry and the complete schedule for oral final argument can be found on the Panel's website.
After final argument is completed, the Panel will begin its deliberations and prepare its recommendation report. This report will be concurrently submitted to the Federal Government, through the Minister of Natural Resources, and made available to the public by 31 December 2013. The final decision on whether or not to approve the proposed project will be made by the Federal Government.
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.
This news release and a fact sheet on the hearing process can be found on the Panel's website at: www.gatewaypanel.review.gc.ca
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