OTTAWA –  Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, is pleased that the hearings on the Northern Gateway Pipeline are under way. Indeed, the National Energy Board (NEB) – an independent federal agency which regulates international and interprovincial aspects of the oil, gas and electric utility industries - and the federal Minister of the Environment have assigned a Joint Review Panel to look at the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project.

“This important project involves the construction of two 1,170-kilometre pipelines running from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, B.C., and the construction and operation of the Kitimat Marine Terminal”, explains Benoit.

“The joint review process involves the most in-depth environmental review available under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act”, says Benoit. “It combines the processes of both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the NEB to create one process that works together”.

Benoit went on to explain that between January and April 2012, hearings are being held at 22 sites across B.C. and Alberta to hear a massive 4,300 oral presenters wishing to address the panel over a wide range of issues from safety and the environment to economic matters and the impact on local communities and individuals.

“The Northern Gateway is currently going through a process to ensure it is safe and environmentally sound”, concludes Benoit. “It is in Canada’s national interest to open new export markets outside the United States and into Asia in particular. Natural resource projects like this create jobs and opportunities for all Canadians, including Aboriginals”.

For more information please go to:
http://gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca/clf-nsi/bts/jntrvwpnl-eng.html