Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Program Project

The proposed Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project involves the replacement of the existing Line 3 34 inch (863.6 mm) crude oil pipeline with a replacement 36 inch (914.4 mm) crude oil pipeline.

The Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Program Project is subject to a review by the NEB under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and the National Energy Board Act.  The National Energy Board submitted a recommendations report to the Minister of Natural Resources on April 25, 2016.

More information about the proponent’s Line 3 project can be found here and the review by the NEB can be found here.

To guide the Government of Canada’s decision-making on this project the following measures are being taken in accordance with the principles the Government has announced.

The Government of Canada will:

Undertake deeper consultations with Indigenous peoples

The Crown recognizes that Indigenous groups are partners in developing Canada’s resources and is committed to fulfilling its duty to consult in a meaningful and responsive manner. Following the release of the recommendations report by the NEB, the Major Projects Management Office will lead whole of government consultations with Indigenous groups to discuss the report, and any outstanding concerns they may have with respect to the project.

Budget 2016 proposes to provide $16.5 million over three years, starting in 2016–17, to the National Energy Board, Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada to support public and Indigenous participation in enhanced consultations related to this project and other projects undergoing reviews by the National Energy Board and to support Crown consultations with Indigenous people. Funding provided to the National Energy Board will be fully cost-recovered from industry.

For more information on this process please contact NRCan.Line3Canalisation3.RNCan@Canada.ca

Facilitate further public engagement

To help facilitate expanded public input on the Line 3 project, an online questionnaire is open to Canadians, for them to share their views, until September 15, 2016. A report summarizing the comments received will be available in the fall.

Assess the upstream greenhouse gas emissions associated with this project and make this information public

Environment and Climate Change Canada has conducted an upstream greenhouse gas assessment for the Line 3 project, a draft of which was posted for public comment. After review and consideration of public comments, a final assessment will be posted.

Extension to the legislated time limit for the Government’s decision on the project

To provide sufficient time for these measures, the Governor in Council has granted an extension of four months to the Government’s legislated decision-making time limit (to seven months in total), so that the Government decision must be made by November 25, 2016.