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Suspension of certificates
The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may suspend energy certificates by order if the certificate holder requests suspension, consents to it, or breaches certificate conditions. Before suspending for non-compliance, the Commission must provide written notice and opportunity for the holder to respond.
Plan, profile and book of reference
Energy infrastructure proponents must submit a plan, profile, and book of reference to the Canadian Energy Regulator detailing all land parcels to be acquired or traversed, including parcel identification, dimensions, area, and owner/occupier information. The Regulator may require additional details as necessary.
Report
The Canadian Energy Regulator must prepare a report within 450 days on pipeline certificate applications, recommending approval or denial based on public convenience and necessity. The evaluation must consider environmental and cumulative effects, safety, Indigenous interests and rights, market feasibility, economic viability, financial capacity, and alignment with Canada's climate commitments.
Matters to be taken into account
The Canadian Energy Regulator must consider all written submissions and public hearing representations when approving pipeline construction plans, routes, and methods. The Regulator may approve sections where no submissions have been filed.
Conditions
The Canadian Energy Regulator may impose any conditions it deems appropriate when issuing approvals for energy infrastructure projects, enabling tailored regulatory requirements specific to individual applications.
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.
Application of certain provisions
Section 290 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act applies compliance provisions (sections 315–318 and 341) to international and interprovincial power lines subject to regulatory orders. Permit and certificate holders must comply, except for activities authorized by leave, facilities with existing certificate conditions, navigable water crossings, and authorizations issued before July 3, 2013.
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.
Leave required
Pipeline companies must obtain a leave order from the Canadian Energy Regulator Commission before opening a pipeline or section for transmission of hydrocarbons or other commodities. Leave is granted only when the Commission is satisfied the pipeline can safely operate.
Construction or operation — navigable water
Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 218, any person must obtain a certificate or order from the Canadian Energy Regulator before constructing or operating a pipeline that crosses navigable waters in any manner (in, on, over, under, through, or across).
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.
Existing terms and conditions
Section 222 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act deems all terms and conditions imposed on pipelines before July 3, 2013 under the National Energy Board Act to be conditions of CER certificates or orders. Pipeline companies must construct pipelines according to previously specified orders, regulations, plans, and specifications, or as directed by the Commission.
Tariff to be filed
Energy transportation companies must file all tariffs and amendments with the Canadian Energy Regulator to ensure transparent disclosure of pricing and service terms for pipeline and energy transportation services.
Commencement of tariff
Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 228, pipeline companies filing tariffs must obtain regulatory approval establishing an effective commencement date before charging tolls for transportation services.
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.
Suspension
The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may suspend application of any tariff or portion thereof before or after it becomes effective, providing regulatory authority over energy infrastructure service charges.
No unjust discrimination
Section 235 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act requires energy companies to avoid unjust discrimination in tolls, services, or facilities against any person or locality, ensuring fair and equitable access to energy infrastructure.
Prohibition
Section 237 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act prohibits companies, shippers, and their agents from offering or accepting rebates, concessions, or discriminatory rates for hydrocarbon transmission below published tariffs, and from engaging in false billing, classification, or reporting to circumvent rate requirements. A due diligence defence is available, and prosecution requires prior Commission approval.
General rule
Section 238 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act requires pipeline and commodity transmission companies to disclose liability limitations in filed tariffs, obtain Commission approval, or have regulatory authorization. The Commission determines permissible liability limits and prescribes transmission conditions for hydrocarbons and other commodities.
Costs and expenses related to abandonment
The Canadian Energy Regulator may require pipeline companies to establish and maintain financial funds or security to ensure they can pay for pipeline abandonment and related costs. The Regulator can direct use of these funds, authorize third parties to access them, realize security to cover abandonment expenses, and allocate any surplus to the Orphan Pipelines Account.
Orphan pipelines
Under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, a designated officer may declare a pipeline an orphan pipeline if the certificate-holding company cannot be located, is unknown, insolvent, bankrupt, in receivership, or dissolved. Persons named in prior regulatory orders or authorized under Special Acts are deemed certificate holders for orphan pipeline designation purposes.
Prohibition
Persons are prohibited from constructing or operating any section or part of an international power line without first obtaining a permit under section 248 or a certificate under section 262 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act.
Issuance
The Canadian Energy Regulator must issue permits for construction and operation of international power lines upon application, subject to the Impact Assessment Act, unless the project is designated by Governor in Council order or an alternative regulatory election applies. Applicants must provide all information specified in regulations.
Publication
Energy project applicants must publish notices of their applications in the Canada Gazette and other CER-designated publications. The Commission may waive this publication requirement if a critical electricity shortage is caused by terrorist activity as defined in the Criminal Code.
Powers, duties and functions of provincial regulatory agency
Provincial regulatory agencies designated under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act possess equivalent authority over international power lines within their jurisdiction as they do over interprovincial electricity transmission lines, including discretionary power to refuse approvals even if such refusal prevents line construction or operation.
Paramountcy
Federal permits and certificates issued under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, along with applicable Acts of Parliament, take precedence over conflicting provincial laws when applied to federally regulated energy projects, establishing federal regulatory supremacy.
Further information
The Canadian Energy Regulator may require applicants to submit additional information beyond standard application materials within a reasonable timeframe if deemed necessary to support the regulator's recommendation decision under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act.
Recommendation and delay of issuance
The Canadian Energy Regulator may recommend to the Minister that an international power line be designated by Governor in Council order and may delay permit issuance during this process. The Regulator must avoid duplicating provincial measures and must consider interprovincial effects, environmental impacts, and regulatory factors when deciding whether to recommend designation.
Where certificate required
Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 261, the Governor in Council may designate interprovincial power lines requiring certificates. No person may construct or operate a designated interprovincial power line without a valid certificate issued under section 262. The Governor may specify considerations the Commission must regard when deciding whether to issue certificates.
Application
Section 264 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act defines CER jurisdiction over three categories of power lines: international lines with filed elections, unregulated portions of international lines in provinces without designated regulatory agencies, and interprovincial lines subject to regulatory orders.
Prohibition
A person must obtain Canadian Energy Regulator approval of plans, profiles, and books of reference for any international or interprovincial power line section before construction begins, and must deposit certified copies in the relevant land registry offices.
Construction or operation
A person must obtain a permit under section 248 or a certificate under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act before constructing or operating an international or interprovincial power line that crosses navigable waters.
Regulations
The Governor in Council may establish joint regulations with the Ministers of Energy and Transport governing the design, construction, operation, deviations, relocation, safety, security, and abandonment of international and interprovincial power lines that cross navigable waters in Canada.
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.
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.
Temporary prohibition — ground disturbances
The Canadian Energy Regulator prohibits ground disturbances near international or interprovincial power lines for three working days after a location request is made, or until a later agreed date. The Commission may grant exemptions under appropriate conditions.
Prohibition
Operators of international or interprovincial power lines must obtain Canadian Energy Regulator Commission approval before abandoning operations. The Commission may grant abandonment authorization by order upon application by the permit or certificate holder.
Conditions — permit
The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may impose conditions on permits and certificates it issues, including those prescribed by regulations and any others the Commission deems necessary or in the public interest.
Recommendation not to vary or transfer
Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 282, the Governor in Council may issue an order directing the Commission to refuse variation or transfer of a pipeline certificate or to reconsider the matter when the Commission recommends against such action.
Order to reconsider
The Canadian Energy Regulator Act grants the Governor in Council authority to order the Commission to reconsider prior decisions, optionally specifying factors and timelines for completion. If reconsideration results in changed recommendations, the Commission must report those changes to the Governor in Council.
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.
Suspension or revocation of permits
The Canadian Energy Regulator may suspend or revoke permits by order when a permit holder applies for or consents to suspension/revocation, or when the holder breaches permit conditions. The regulator must provide written notice and an opportunity to be heard before revoking a permit for breach.
Regulations — excluded periods
The Canadian Energy Regulator may establish regulations defining circumstances under which periods can be excluded from calculating regulatory time limits for permit and authorization decisions, providing administrative flexibility in processing timelines for energy projects.
Variation or transfer
The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may vary or transfer energy authorizations either on its own motion or upon application, and may impose new, modified, or additional conditions as part of such variations or transfers.
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.
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).
Financial resources
Applicants for Canadian Energy Regulator authorizations must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover Commission-determined amounts through prescribed forms or Regulator-specified methods. Proof must remain valid throughout the duration of authorized work or activity.
Proof of financial responsibility
Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 304, applicants for CER authorization must provide proof of financial responsibility (letter of credit, guarantee, indemnity bond, or other acceptable form). This proof must remain in force throughout the authorized activity. The Regulator may draw on these funds for eligible claims, with amounts recovered offset against subsequent legal liability awards.
Application of sections 317 and 318
Section 307 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act extends regulatory sections 317 and 318 to offshore renewable energy projects and offshore power lines by substituting references to companies with persons and pipelines with offshore facilities, ensuring equivalent regulatory requirements.
Review of Act after 10 years
The Canadian Energy Regulator Act mandates a comprehensive parliamentary review of the Act's provisions and operation ten years after its coming into force, to be conducted by a designated Senate, House of Commons, or joint parliamentary committee.