Dear Editor,
I wish to offer a statement on behalf of the NEB in response to the City of Burnaby’s letter denying our request for supplemental police services, and some of the comments made by the city in the media.
As many of the 400 registered intervenors participating in the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion hearing live in or close to Burnaby, the hearing panel chose to hear oral summary argument in Burnaby instead of at our offices in Calgary. This decision was made for the convenience of the intervenors and to encourage full participation. To be clear, this stage of the hearing is not an open forum for the public to present to the panel. This is an opportunity for registered intervenors to present their oral summary argument to the hearing panel.
The primary purpose of oral summary argument is for intervenors and Trans Mountain to summarize the key points of their argument that they want the board to consider at this phase of a hearing. No new evidence can be introduced. The hearing panel recognizes that there is significant public interest in the proceedings and has decided to live webcast oral summary arguments in both official languages. NEB hearings are often high-profile, and the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is no exception. It is important that the registered intervenors are provided with a safe environment in which to participate in the hearing. Intervenors have spent a significant amount of time over the last 18 months participating in the NEB review, and this is their opportunity to present to the panel, in-person. We also want to be respectful of hotel staff and guests of the Delta Burnaby Hotel.
It is standard practice for us to conduct a security assessment on the hearing location prior to any hearing. We use this information to put in place plans to protect the safety of everyone involved. It is common for us to request support from local law enforcement.
To be clear, our request is not for the reassignment of police officers. The NEB’s request is for supplemental police services that would be paid for by the NEB. This means that off-duty officers, or officers from another geographic area, would typically fulfil the supplemental police services request. The NEB respects the decision of the City of Burnaby regarding our request for supplemental policing services from the RCMP Burnaby Detachment. We are now considering other options.
Craig Loewen, director of media relations and public affairs, National Energy Board
