Onshore Pipeline Regulations and Filing Manuals Update
The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) is seeking feedback for the Phase 2 review of the Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) and the Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment and Lands portion of the Filing Manuals (FM).
The OPR are the main regulations we use to oversee pipelines in Canada. The FM explains what to include in an application for a potential project.
Phase 2 of the OPR/FM review launched on 17 June 2024. Engagement for this phase will take place from June to December 2024. The feedback collected will inform potential improvements to both the OPR and FM as well as any other related guidance and internal processes. Feedback received will be posted publicly in early 2025. The CER completed Phase 1 engagement in 2023. See our What We Heard Report to read about the key themes we heard in Phase 1.
Please see the "Background Information" document in the right column of this page for further information about the OPR and FM review.
Phase 2 Engagement Overview
The CER is seeking feedback on various topics related to the OPR and FM. You can find information on each topic, as well as discussion questions, on the right side of this webpage, under the "Topic Papers" section.
In June, the CER hosted virtual information sessions to provide general information about the CER, the OPR and FM review project, and the topic papers. The CER is now offering topic-specific information sessions.
Topic-specific Information Sessions
Sign up for a topic-specific information session below:
- A. Damage Prevention - Tuesday, 10 September, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST
- B. Deactivation and End of Lifecycle - Wednesday, 11 September, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST
- C. Emergency Management - Wednesday, 18 September, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST
- D. Environmental Protection - Tuesday, 17 September, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST
- E. Human and Organizational Factors - Monday, 23 September, 1:00 - 2:30 pm MST
- F. Management Systems and Contractor Management - Wednesday, 18 September, 1:00 -2:30 pm MST
- G. Pipeline Integrity - Thursday, 12 September, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST
- H. Reporting Harm – Monday, 16 September, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST
- I. Rights and Interests of Indigenous Peoples, Socio-Economic Effects, Engagement – Thursday, 19 September, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST
- J. Safety – Monday, 16 September, 1:00 - 2:30 pm MST
- K. Filing Manual - Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment - Tuesday,17 September, 1:00 - 2:30 pm MST
- L. Filing Manual - Lands - Thursday, 26 September, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST
- M. Filing Manual - Rights and Interests of Indigenous Peoples - Thursday, 19 September, 1:00 - 2:30 pm MST
For sessions in French, please contact opr-rpt@cer-rec.gc.ca.
Indigenous Peoples
The CER is looking to amend the OPR and the FM to incorporate specific localized knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples, as well as Indigenous laws, policies, practices and protocols. The CER is seeking to strengthen measures to prevent and address impacts to Indigenous rights and interests, including heritage resources and sites of Indigenous significance. If your community has thoughts to share on any of the topic papers, the CER would like to hear from you!
The funding application deadline has passed. If you have any questions or require support, please contact the OPR/FM project team at opr-rpt@cer-rec.gc.ca.
We Want to Hear from You
You are welcome to provide feedback on whichever topic is of interest to you. You can choose to submit feedback by:
- E-mail (opr_rpt@cer-rec.gc.ca)
- Idea board (below)
- Mailed letter (Mailing Address included on site)
- Webform (right column of this page).
The deadline to provide written feedback is 20 December 2024.
Feedback submitted will be posted publicly on the CER’s website for the OPR at CER Act – Regulations, Guidance Notes and Related Documents. Feedback received by the deadline will be considered in the review of the OPR.