Inspection Officer Order VAR-JJD-001-2024 issued to Trans Mountain

March 19, 2024

On March 12, CER Inspection Officers and TMX-IAMC Indigenous Monitors conducted an unannounced inspection on spread 6 of the Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline near Lightning Rock (Abbotsford, BC). They observed company contractors working without authorizations and mitigation plans required to work near a known and active nesting site of a Red-tailed Hawk.

Inspection Officers have issued an Inspection Officer Order requiring the company to stop all reclamation and clean-up activities until the Inspection Officer is satisfied that the potentially hazardous or detrimental situation has been remedied.

The company must also:

  • correct and provide documented evidence of all rectified non-compliances for this section of the pipeline right of way before they can return to work
  • conduct an internal investigation to determine the root cause of this incident for CER review
  • confirming how Trans Mountain will oversee the scheduling and coordination of its contractor work crews going forward
  • Submit to the CER a commitment from the Accountable Officer that all corrective actions will be implemented as described.

We will continue to follow up with the company to ensure it complies with the Inspection Officer Order. Once the company sufficiently addresses the requirements list above, the order will be lifted.

For a complete list of non-compliances and more information, view Reports on Compliance and Enforcement.

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