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Information Dissemination: Licensing Process for Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, Version 2.1

Recovery of loss, damage, costs, expenses

Section 137 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act imposes joint and several liability on pipeline operators and contractors for unintended or uncontrolled releases of oil, gas, or other commodities. Liable parties must cover actual losses, response costs, and loss of non-use value. Liability is capped at $1 billion for major pipelines (≥250,000 barrels/day capacity); smaller pipelines face prescribed regulatory amounts. Claims recover in Canadian courts with priority ranking favoring actual loss over cost recovery, which ranks above non-use value claims.

Licence Application Guide: Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment, Version 1.1

Pre-licensing Review of a Vendor’s Reactor Design

Designation

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act s. 141, the Governor in Council may designate pipeline operators whose companies experience unintended or uncontrolled releases of oil, gas, or commodities if they lack financial resources to cover response costs and compensation or fail to comply with regulatory orders. The Regulator may conduct response actions, authorize third parties with liability protection, and recover expenses from pooled financial arrangements or by reimbursing governments and Indigenous bodies.

Design of Reactor Facilities, Version 2.1

Application Guide: Certification of Radiation Devices or Class II Prescribed Equipment, Version 1.1

Court of record

The Canadian Energy Regulator is established as a court of record with superior court powers, enabling it to compel witness testimony, demand document production, enforce orders, and inspect property. All proceedings must be handled expeditiously while maintaining procedural fairness and natural justice.

Reporting Requirements, Volume I: Non-Power Reactor Class I Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, Version 1.1

Conduct of Licensed Activities: Construction and Commissioning Programs

Site Evaluation and Site Preparation for New Reactor Facilities, Version 1.3

Acting Lead and Deputy Lead Commissioners

Establishes succession procedures for the Canadian Energy Regulator: when both the Lead Commissioner and Deputy Lead Commissioner are absent, unable to act, or their positions are vacant, the Minister may designate another commissioner as acting Lead Commissioner for up to 90 days; longer appointments require Governor in Council approval.

Licence Application Guide: Licence to Construct A Reactor Facility, Version 2

Orders and prohibitions

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may issue binding orders requiring compliance with the CER Act and authorization conditions, and may prohibit activities that violate the Act or breach authorization terms or Commission directives.

Abandoned facilities

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 101, persons must obtain authorization from a designated officer before contacting, altering, or removing abandoned energy facilities. The Regulator may establish regulations and the Commission may issue orders specifying circumstances in which such authorization is not required.

Reporting Requirements for Waste Nuclear Substance Licensees, Class II Nuclear Facilities and Users of Prescribed Equipment, Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices

Definitions

Section 2 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes statutory definitions for federal energy infrastructure regulation, including abandoned facilities and pipelines, oil and gas exports and imports, ground disturbance thresholds for pipeline protection, and incorporates Indigenous governing bodies and knowledge in energy decision-making processes.

Definitions

Section 113 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes legal privilege protection for voice and video recordings of operating personnel at regulated energy facilities. Recordings are privileged and non-disclosable except when requested by the Regulator for accident inquiries, by coroners for investigations, or when courts determine public interest in justice outweighs privilege. Recordings cannot be used in disciplinary proceedings against facility operators or employees.

Amount to be paid

Section 164 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act specifies payment obligations for the Regulator to compensate claimants. The Regulator must pay interim and final compensation amounts, costs, and interest (accrued at the Income Tax Act refund rate) within prescribed timeframes, as well as tribunal-awarded fees and travel expenses as authorized by regulations.

Issuance

The Canadian Energy Regulator may issue authorizations for offshore renewable energy projects and associated power lines. Applications must include prescribed information about proposed works, facilities, and equipment. The regulator must decide within 300 days, considering environmental effects, safety, health, social and economic impacts, Indigenous interests and rights, climate change alignment, and relevant impact assessments before imposing conditions.

Assets of company subject to executions

Section 341 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act clarifies that the Act does not restrict financial or legal transactions involving company assets, including court-ordered asset sales, creation of liens, mortgages, and enforcement of security interests. Such transactions remain subject to applicable provincial laws where the property is located.

Recovery of loss, etc., caused by debris

Section 302 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes strict liability for losses, damages, and costs arising from debris generated during authorized energy work. Authorization holders are liable up to $1 billion (with reduced limits in Arctic Waters), while parties responsible for debris are jointly and severally liable based on fault. Claims prioritize personal losses, then government costs, then non-use value losses (recoverable only by government).

Regulations

Section 333 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act grants the Regulator authority to establish regulations governing land acquisition, leasing, expropriation, and compensation for energy projects. The regulations may address compensation procedures, notice service requirements, acquisition processes, agreement terms, approval criteria, and filing of voluntary landowner agreements.

Powers of company

Section 313 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act grants pipeline companies authority to survey land, acquire property, construct pipelines across public and private holdings, interconnect with other infrastructure, erect supporting structures, and transport hydrocarbons and other commodities, subject to regulatory approval and applicable legislation.

Suspension or revocation

The Canadian Energy Regulator may suspend or revoke an authorization by order if the holder requests it, consents to it, or breaches a condition. Before revoking for breach, the regulator must provide written notice and opportunity to be heard.

Orders

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may issue orders governing the design, construction, operation, and abandonment of facilities crossing interprovincial and international power lines. Orders authorize facility crossings, regulate ground disturbances, govern vehicle operation, allocate construction costs, and specify activities. The Regulator may also make complementary regulations with Governor in Council approval.

Relocation

The Canadian Energy Regulator may order holders of international or interprovincial power line permits or certificates to relocate infrastructure when necessary to facilitate construction or relocation of other facilities. The regulator determines cost allocation between parties, requires mandatory consultation procedures, and may order reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred by persons making submissions.

Offence and punishment

Section 379 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes criminal offences and penalties for contraventions of the Act or regulations. Summary conviction carries fines up to $100,000 or one year imprisonment; indictable offence carries fines up to $1,000,000 or five years imprisonment. Due diligence is a defence. Corporate officers, directors, and agents who direct or participate in offences are liable. Each day of continued violation constitutes a separate offence.

Construction — facility

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 272, persons constructing international or interprovincial power lines crossing facilities must obtain a CER permit or certificate with facility-related conditions, secure Commission leave, or meet regulatory circumstances. The Commission may impose conditions and grant retroactive leave if work was urgent and prior notice was given.

Orders

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may exempt pipelines up to 40 km long, previously constructed pipelines, and associated infrastructure (tanks, compressors, storage facilities) from specified regulatory provisions. Exemption applications must be decided within 300 days of complete submission; the Lead Commissioner may exclude certain periods with public disclosure, and the Minister may grant extensions. The Commission may impose conditions on exemptions.

Prohibition — construction or ground disturbance

Section 273 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act prohibits construction, ground disturbance, and vehicle/mobile equipment operation on, across, or under international and interprovincial power lines without CER authorization. Exceptions permit vehicle operation on travelled highways and public roads. The CER Commission may order facility owners to reconstruct, alter, or remove installations that threaten line safety or security.

Recommendation to vary or transfer

Section 281 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act authorizes the Governor in Council to issue orders directing the Commission's handling of pipeline certificate variation or transfer recommendations, including approval, denial, or remand for reconsideration.

Definitions

Section 93 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act defines key terms for pipeline claims proceedings: compensable damage (costs, losses, and damages awarded by the Tribunal), holder (entities holding certificates, permits, or authorizations for regulated facilities, pipelines, power lines, or abandonment permits), and Tribunal (the pipeline claims tribunal).

Interim tolls

The Canadian Energy Regulator may direct pipeline companies to refund tolls charged above just and reasonable amounts under interim orders, or recover shortfalls through subsequent tolls, with interest determined by the regulator.

Publication of order

Orders issued by the Canadian Energy Regulator under sections 281 or 282 must be published in the Canada Gazette within 15 days of issuance.

Relief

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may grant applications wholly or partially and may impose additional or alternative relief beyond what was requested. This discretionary authority does not apply to certificate applications under Part 3 of the Act.

Limitation

Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 241 requires pipeline companies to obtain Commission approval before abandoning any pipeline. Companies must notify affected landowners and publish notices in local media. Mandatory public hearings apply if written opposition is filed unless withdrawn or deemed frivolous. The Commission may impose conditions on abandonment approvals, and companies remain liable for abandoned pipelines.

Confidentiality

Section 60 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act authorizes the Commission and designated officers to issue confidentiality orders protecting information in regulatory proceedings. Confidentiality may be granted to prevent material financial loss or competitive prejudice, to protect confidential financial, commercial, scientific or technical information when the discloser's interest outweighs public interest, or when disclosure poses real and substantial risks to safety, well-being, property or the environment.

Power lines not works

International and interprovincial power lines subject to Canadian Energy Regulator orders are excluded from the definition of 'work' under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, removing them from that Act's regulatory jurisdiction.

For greater certainty

Issuance of a Canadian Energy Regulator certificate or approval of plans, profiles, and books of reference does not exempt regulated companies from compliance with other provisions of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act.

Costs of making representations

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may order pipeline companies to reimburse reasonable costs incurred by persons making representations at public hearings concerning pipeline routes, payable on an interim or final basis without delay.

Revocation of certificates — contravention

The Canadian Energy Regulator may revoke a certificate if the holder violates any condition, subject to Governor in Council approval. The regulator must provide written notice of the alleged violation and grant the certificate holder an opportunity to be heard before revocation.

Extension or improvement

The Canadian Energy Regulator may direct natural gas pipeline operators to extend or improve facilities to interconnect with local distribution networks and serve municipalities or adjacent communities, provided no undue burden is imposed on the operator and service to existing customers is not impaired.

Effects of recommendation on navigation

The Canadian Energy Regulator must consider navigation safety impacts as a material factor when recommending pipeline approvals and making regulatory decisions for pipelines crossing navigable waters.

Order to reconsider

Section 184 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act enables the Governor in Council to order the Commission to reconsider its report recommendations or conditions. Orders are binding and must be published in the Canada Gazette within 15 days. The Commission must submit a reconsideration report confirming, modifying, or replacing recommendations and conditions while addressing all necessary public interest factors. The reconsideration report is final unless another order is issued.

Issuance

The Canadian Energy Regulator must issue a permit authorizing electricity exportation upon application without a public hearing, unless the Governor in Council designates the application for special review. Applications must include prescribed regulatory information.

Period of validity

Under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, permits and licences issued by the regulator have a maximum validity period of 30 years.

Duty — company

Canadian pipeline operators must promptly receive, transport, and deliver all offered oil with due care. The Canadian Energy Regulator may extend similar obligations to gas and commodity pipelines by order, and may require operators to provide adequate facilities for receipt, transmission, storage, and interconnection where no undue burden results.

Relocation

The Canadian Energy Regulator may order pipeline companies to relocate pipelines when necessary for safety, environmental protection, public infrastructure projects, or to prevent interference with drainage systems. The regulator determines cost allocation among parties, ensures procedural compliance with prior consultation requirements, and may award reasonable costs to regulatory proceeding participants.

Application for correction of errors

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 208, pipeline companies must apply to the Regulator for a permit to correct any omissions, misstatements, or errors in registered plans, profiles, or books of reference. Once the Regulator issues a permit and certified copies are deposited with the appropriate land registry office, the documents are deemed corrected and pipeline construction may proceed in accordance with the correction.