B.C. is making plans to offer everyone 12+ a fall booster dose 
Government of B.C. Government of B.C.
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
  • Skip to site search
  • Skip to side bar
  • Skip to footer

BC Gov News

  • Home
  • Ministries
  • Sectors
  • Connect
  • Subscribe
  • News Archive
  • Live Webcast
  • Office of the Premier
  • Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
  • Environment and Climate Change Strategy
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Land, Water and Resource Stewardship
  • Mental Health and Addictions
  • Municipal Affairs
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Infrastructure

close menu Office of the Premier

Premier's statement on five years of delivering results for people

July 18, 2022 10:00 AM
Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement to mark the five-year anniversary of forming a government that puts people first:
  Read More

Vancouver named FIFA World Cup 2026 official host city

June 16, 2022 2:37 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THE PREMIER
More from the Premier
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Premier's Bio

close menu Advanced Education and Skills Training

British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals
British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.
  Read More

Turning the page on adult literacy with increased funding

July 25, 2022 12:00 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Agriculture and Food

BC Fairs launches Buy BC agriculture trivia contest

July 27, 2022 10:30 AM
BC Fairs are taking British Columbians on a journey this summer with an online Buy BC-themed trivia challenge that explores local products made in the province.
  Read More

New funding supports farmers, takes action on climate resiliency

July 27, 2022 9:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Attorney General

Settlement reached with Purdue Pharma (Canada) for opioid damages

June 29, 2022 9:08 AM
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (Canada) (Purdue Canada) has agreed to a first of its kind settlement in Canada resulting from B.C.-led efforts to recover health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
  Read More

New homes for women, children open in Prince George

July 14, 2022 11:45 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Children and Family Development

Province seeks public input on supports for children, youth

April 20, 2022 11:15 AM
A survey about B.C’s new service approach for children and youth with support needs is now open to the public.
  Read More

Process begins to select family connections centres

May 10, 2022 4:08 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Citizens' Services

Fast, reliable internet, cell coverage coming to Nass Valley

July 12, 2022 2:30 PM
More than 500 households in multiple Indigenous communities in the Nass Valley are set to benefit from a project that will bring high-speed internet and cellular coverage to the area.
  Read More

Connectivity achievements celebrated on Haida Gwaii

July 4, 2022 2:00 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Education and Child Care

Four BC First Nations conclude self-government agreements regarding education

July 13, 2022 1:55 PM
Group photo of event participants and speakers. Seabird Island, BC.
From the First Nations Education Steering Committee: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/four-bc-first-nations-conclude-self-government-agreements-regarding-education-834404859.html
  Read More

Cultural learning can give students grad credit

June 30, 2022 11:35 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

British Columbians can access more in EV charger rebates

May 18, 2022 10:05 AM
Better rebates for EV chargers
The Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses and communities.
  Read More

Minister’s statement on Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference 2022

July 6, 2022 7:30 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain

July 14, 2022 10:45 AM
Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain
The first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years reached a new milestone with the release of the business case and formal approval of provincial funding for the project.
  Read More

B.C. strengthens actions to prepare for climate change with new strategy

June 20, 2022 1:15 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Finance

Speculation and vacancy tax will help housing affordability in new communities

July 20, 2022 9:45 AM
The expansion of the Speculation and Vacancy Tax will help eliminate speculative real estate practices and turn empty units into homes for people in additional communities in B.C. struggling with housing affordability.
  Read More

B.C. enhances consumer protection for homebuyers

July 21, 2022 9:30 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Forests

Hupacasasth First Nation tapping trees for sticky gold

July 18, 2022 1:00 PM
Hupacasasth First Nation tapping trees for sticky gold
Using an innovative approach, the Hupacasath First Nation in Port Alberni is benefiting from nearly $112,000 in funding from the B.C. government as part of the Indigenous Forest Bioeconomy Program.
  Read More

Backcountry road closures still active for wildlife recovery

July 15, 2022 10:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Health

B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine

July 14, 2022 2:05 PM
B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine
Approximately 208,000 eligible infants and children in British Columbia between six months and four years of age will soon be able to receive vaccine protection against COVID-19.
  Read More

British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act

June 6, 2022 10:38 AM
Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act
Tahltan Central Government and the Province have entered into the first consent-based decision-making agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
  Read More

Building momentum: 2021-2022 Declaration Act Annual Report

June 30, 2022 1:00 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour

January 20, 2022 8:00 AM
Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour
Nominations are being accepted for the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest honour.
  Read More

Outstanding people recognized for service during the pandemic

March 22, 2022 2:30 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News

close menu Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation

British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals
British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.
  Read More

Province launching new centre for agritech innovation

July 21, 2022 9:35 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Labour

B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers

May 31, 2022 8:30 AM
B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers
As of June 1, 2022, B.C.’s lowest paid workers will get a pay boost as the minimum wage increases from $15.20 to $15.65 per hour, which is the highest of any province.
  Read More

B.C. expands cancer coverage for firefighters

April 22, 2022 12:30 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

Conservation Officer Service achieves largest-ever invasive mussels decontamination

July 9, 2022 9:00 AM
When staff at B.C.’s Invasive Mussel Defence Program were notified that a high-risk watercraft heading for the Lower Mainland appeared to be covered in invasive zebra mussels, inspectors with the Conservation Officer Service (COS) immediately took action.
  Read More

Minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s statement on federal decision about salmon farms

June 22, 2022 4:20 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Mental Health and Addictions

Settlement reached with Purdue Pharma (Canada) for opioid damages

June 29, 2022 9:08 AM
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (Canada) (Purdue Canada) has agreed to a first of its kind settlement in Canada resulting from B.C.-led efforts to recover health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
  Read More

New Foundry provides mental-health, substance-use services to youth in the Tri-Cities

July 19, 2022 10:45 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Municipal Affairs

B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians

June 29, 2022 10:15 AM
B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens arriving in B.C. under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can now apply for hardship assistance from the B.C. government.
  Read More

Municipalities open cooling centres as heat warnings issued throughout B.C.

July 25, 2022 3:30 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Public Safety and Solicitor General

Province launches e-transfer for evacuees

July 27, 2022 11:00 AM
The Province is launching upgrades to Emergency Support Services (ESS), including direct payment for evacuees to help meet their basic needs, including food and clothing.
  Read More

Minister Blair announces over $870 million to support disaster recovery and climate resilience in British Columbia

July 18, 2022 1:12 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians

July 26, 2022 11:15 AM
Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians
A new investment of $2 million will support the development and growth of British Columbia’s co-operative businesses, while expanding services for people who use them.
  Read More

Funding helps improve food security for women of colour

July 25, 2022 9:30 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Province seeks nominees for Medal of Good Citizenship

July 28, 2022 9:30 AM
Province seeks nominees for Medal of Good Citizenship
British Columbians are encouraged to nominate their fellow citizens who have made outstanding contributions through exceptional service to their communities for this year's Medal of Good Citizenship.
  Read More

Province, viaSport partner to take abuse out of the game

July 6, 2022 2:00 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Transportation and Infrastructure

Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain

July 14, 2022 10:45 AM
Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain
The first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years reached a new milestone with the release of the business case and formal approval of provincial funding for the project.
  Read More

Five-lane interchange breaks ground in Richmond

July 7, 2022 10:50 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Home
  • Ministries
    • Office of the Premier
    • Advanced Education and Skills Training
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
    • Environment and Climate Change Strategy
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Land, Water and Resource Stewardship
    • Mental Health and Addictions
    • Municipal Affairs
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Sectors
  • Connect
  • Subscribe
  • News Archive
  • Live Webcast

Environment and Climate Change Strategy

B.C.'s tough cross-examination concluded at Edmonton hearings

Share

More from this Ministry
Honourable George Heyman

Honourable George Heyman

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Minister responsible for TransLink

Read Bio

Contact

Email: ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain

July 14, 2022 10:45 AM
Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain
The first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years reached a new milestone with the release of the business case and formal approval of provincial funding for the project.
  Read More

B.C. strengthens actions to prepare for climate change with new strategy

June 20, 2022 1:15 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

Environment and Climate Change Strategy

British Columbia News

B.C.'s tough cross-examination concluded at Edmonton hearings

https://news.gov.bc.ca/02715

Share

Information Bulletin

Victoria
Monday, September 17, 2012 7:30 AM

Share

Information Bulletin

Victoria

Monday, September 17, 2012 7:30 AM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Visit Ministry Website

Featured Topics

  • Climate Preparedness and Adaptation
  • Plastics Engagement
  • Towards a Clean Growth Future
  • Climage Change and Climate Action
  • Environmental Assessment Revitalization
  • Professional Reliance

Featured Services

  • Translink
  • Environmental Protection & Sustainability
  • BC Parks
  • Recreation Sites and Trails
  • Conservation Officer Service
  • Report All Polluters & Poachers
  • Environmental Assessment Office

Consistent with B.C.'s five requirements for heavy oil pipelines, the B.C. government has concluded its cross-examination at the Edmonton Northern Gateway Pipeline (NGP) joint review panel.

Questions posed to the proponent, as previously agreed to, focused on Enbridge's liability coverage and related financial matters to ensure B.C. taxpayers' interests are fully protected.

British Columbia focused on two main themes Friday, Sept. 8, specifically the ability of NGP to access sufficient funds, including insurance funds, to cover clean up costs; and the corporate structure of NGP and its relationship with Enbridge. Below is a summary of cross-examination highlights:

Under questioning from British Columbia, NGP stated that insurance coverage for its operations would likely amount to approximately $60 million. NGP maintained that that amount would be sufficient to cover the costs of a spill, given the other financial resources that would be available. NGP also predicted that no more than one spill would occur every 250 years.

Further testimony by NGP revealed that this amount falls far short of the estimated $767 million that the United States Transportation Safety Board (USTSB) calculated as the cost to clean up the Kalamazoo River and related areas following the 2010 Enbridge spill near Marshall, Michigan.

British Columbia's cross-examination also revealed that evidence presented by Enbridge estimated that an average cost of $14,000 per barrel for large diluted bitumen spills. Applying that figure to the approximately 20,000 barrels lost in the Michigan spill would result in an estimated cost of $281 million-or barely more than one-third of the cleanup costs estimated to date by the USTSB.

NGP officials did confirm that costs to date for cleaning of the Michigan spill have been in excess of Enbridge's pollution liability policy and that there could be scenarios for the Northern Gateway project where spill costs would exceed the limits provided under an insurance policy.

While the NGP representatives could not guarantee that there would not be a significant spill of the magnitude of that in Michigan, they did indicate that they were taking special precautions where there would be water crossings or difficult terrain to traverse in order to minimize the risk to the environment, including providing for extra-thick pipeline walls, an increased number of valves, more frequent inspections and tunneling to protect the pipeline in extremely difficult terrain.

British Columbia asked about the ability of NGP to raise sufficient insurance to cover losses associated with major spills. While NGP did not seem concerned about the ability to secure insurance based on Enbridge's experience, the company has not yet gone to the marketplace to identify potential insurers and gain commitments to insure against major spills.

British Columbia also asked about the ownership structure of NGP and ultimately who would be in control of the company. NGP representatives stated they anticipated Enbridge would be the majority owner, but that the actual ownership percentages are not yet confirmed.

Each funding participant who is helping support the $300 million in costs to date in return for access to the pipeline once in operation will also have the opportunity to purchase ownership in the bitumen pipeline, the condensate pipeline or both.

In addition, the Aboriginal community will have up to 10 per cent ownership of the pipeline, depending on the uptake in the NGP Aboriginal Equity program.

British Columbia wanted to understand the corporate ownership structure to determine whether or not, in the event of a catastrophic event, the full backing of Enbridge Inc. would be accessible to pay for required cleanup. However, as NGP is structured as a limited partnership, each partner's liability would be limited to the amount of money invested in the company.

In the event of a catastrophe, there would not be the ability for either Canada or British Columbia to seek full compensation from Enbridge Inc., as Enbridge's liability as limited partner would be limited to the extent of its investment in the project.

It would appear that while to Enbridge this corporate structure makes strong business sense, from B.C.'s perspective, it reduces the exposure of Enbridge as limited partner to its absolute investment in the pipeline itself.

However, NGP representatives did state they believed that, in the event of a major spill, the partnership would have sufficient resources available to cover the costs of the spill.

Our government will continue to ensure that any heavy oil pipeline proposal in British Columbia has world-leading policies and processes governing spill prevention, spill response and liability insurance that reduces government and public exposure to risk. B.C. will cross-examine NGP on all of these issues at the panel hearings as they progress through the fall and early winter.

B.C.'s five requirements for any and all heavy oil pipeline development remain:

  • Successful completion of the environmental review process. In the case of the Northern Gateway Pipeline, that means a recommendation by the National Energy Board Joint Review Panel that the project proceed.
  • World-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems for BC's coastline and ocean to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines and shipments.
  • World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and recovery systems to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines.
  • Legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are addressed, and First Nations are provided with the opportunities, information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit from a heavy-oil project.
  • British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits of a proposed heavy oil project that reflects the level, degree and nature of the risk borne by the government, the environment and taxpayers.

Hearings of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review Panel in Edmonton will conclude Sept. 28. Further opportunities for B.C. to question NGP will occur later in the fall in Prince George and Prince Rupert.

In Prince George, matters concerning land-based spills will be addressed, and in Prince Rupert, matters concerning the marine terminal and aquatic spills will be questioned. B.C.'s cross-examination of NGP in Prince George will also include questions concerning spill prevention and response such as spill response planning in the context of geographic and climate challenges, and challenges specific to the nature of heavy oil. The practices of NGP in the wake of the spill in Michigan will also be probed.

In Prince Rupert, topics will include NGP's relationship with the response organization responsible for spills and nature and extent of the commitments Northern Gateway Pipelines has made to exceed regulatory standards for spill response.

To read the transcript in its entirety, please visit the Joint Review Panel's website at: http://gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca/clf-nsi/prtcptngprcss/hrng-eng.html

More information on the EA Certificate can be found at: www.eao.gov.bc.ca

Contact:

Greg Leake
Communications
B.C. Environmental Assessment Office
250 387-2470


https://news.gov.bc.ca/02715

Related Articles

Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain

July 14, 2022 10:45 AM

B.C. strengthens actions to prepare for climate change with new strategy

June 20, 2022 1:15 PM

Nelson Civic Centre gets energy-efficiency upgrade

August 4, 2022 12:15 PM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

Sound Bites

Listen to the Ministry's latest audio clips on SoundCloud.

Connect with Us:

  • BC Gov
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds

  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us
  • Connect
View all Social Media