In Action: Honest Dialogue
Three efforts to build public trust for energy infrastructure and resource development
The National Energy Board’s National Engagement Initiative
Established in 1959, the National Energy Board (NEB) is an independent federal agency that regulates interprovincial and international petroleum pipelines, international and designated interprovincial power lines, as well as petroleum exploration and development in areas not covered by provincial or federal agreements. In response to growing public scrutiny and controversy over energy infrastructure, the NEB launched the National Engagement Initiative in November 2014 to better understand public concerns and expectations regarding pipeline safety and environmental protection.
To continue to improve practices and increase public trust, the NEB recognized the need to connect with a broad range of stakeholders and inform Canadians about energy regulation. Through the National Engagement Initiative, the NEB heard from municipal and provincial officials, Indigenous organizations, environmental groups, first responders and academics, professional and industry organizations, as well as landowners and interested citizens. In addition to meetings with 80 stakeholder groups in 34 cities across the country, the public engagement process included a pipeline safety forum attended by 400 participants and an online discussion forum with 27,500 participants.
Based on the outcomes of the National Engagement Initiative, efforts are underway at the NEB to enhance relationships with municipalities and Indigenous communities, environmental and safety measures, and access to information on emergency management plans. Specific developments include public consultation on company emergency response plans, the launch of a pipeline incident map, online access to NEB inspection reports, and the creation of regional NEB offices in Montreal and Vancouver. The cross-country engagement process has reinforced the value of public dialogue and the need to continue the conversation with stakeholders.
The Social Acceptability workshop in Quebec
Recognizing the need to respond to increasing public concerns about resource development, the Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles (MERN) launched a province-wide engagement initiative on social acceptability in 2014. To complement a range of recent measures aimed at promoting sustainable development, MERN sought a cross-section of perspectives on four main areas: the role of authorities, participatory approaches, the cumulative effects of projects, and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Interested citizens, Indigenous communities, stakeholder groups, and elected representatives participated in 25 discussion panels and submitted 41 briefs as part of the process.
Outcomes of the social acceptability initiative revealed the need to focus on broad consensus instead of unanimity, improve public understanding of ministry responsibilities, create participatory approaches to land-use planning, and provide better support and communication throughout environmental authorization processes. Based on these findings, MERN proposed the following departmental guidelines: raise awareness of its roles and responsibilities in land-use management; make the mechanisms for land-use planning more transparent, participator, and up-to-date; establish predictable information and consultation processes at all project stages; promote shared benefits for host communities; and take social acceptability factors into account in assessing projects.
Following the 2015 public engagement process, MERN tabled departmental guidelines for social acceptability in a green paper, which will be
reviewed by the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Energy and Natural Resources of the National Assembly. The guidelines proposed in the green paper demonstrate Quebec’s commitment to a more collaborative approach to sustainable resource development where governments, project proponents and community stakeholders work through concerns and interests in a constructive manner.
The Energy Futures Lab in Alberta
From increasing market access for oil to ensuring community and environmental well-being, the future of energy development concerns all Albertans. In 2015, Suncor Energy, The Banff Centre, Pembina Institute and The Natural Step established the Energy Futures Lab (EFL) as an Alberta-based, multi-sector initiative where a diverse cohort of leaders jointly develop collaborative opportunities over a three-year period to address current and emerging energy challenges.
Forming the core of the EFL, 30 to 40 fellows will be selected from among innovators and influencers across industry, government, non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, academia and interest groups engaged in energy issues. Through a shared learning process, the fellows will build a common vision for the future of Alberta’s energy system and co-create projects that support the desired transition. By connecting their networks and the broader public into this important dialogue, the fellows will co-ordinate action across a range of organizations and begin to shift the narrative about energy.
The EFL will enable experimentation, prototyping and scaling of new and existing initiatives to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon energy future. In particular, solutions will focus on supporting the priorities outlined in Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan, such as phasing out coal pollution, transitioning to renewable energy, adapting to carbon pricing, reducing methane emissions, and adhering to the oil sands emission limit. The EFL is an important step toward replacing polarized debates with a constructive process for change. The goal is to engage wider audiences, foster new leaders, and build a pool of collaborators to help Alberta prepare for and shape its energy future.
