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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.

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.

Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities

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.

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.

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.

Amount paid out of Fund

Section 171 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act authorizes payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cover the Regulator's operational costs, including tribunal member and staff remuneration, legal services, publishing expenses, and administrative support. The Minister of Finance establishes payment amounts in consultation with the Minister of Natural Resources.

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.

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.

Form of compensation payment if land taken

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 329, when a company takes or leases land, the Regulator must direct compensation payment at the landowner's option as either a lump sum or periodic payments. Interest may be awarded at the prime business loan rate from the date of land entry or when damages first occurred.

Variation or transfer of permits or licences

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may vary or transfer permits and licences for electricity exportation either upon application or its own initiative. When doing so, the Commission may impose new or modified conditions it deems necessary to fulfil the Act's purposes and provisions.

Certification of Gaseous Diffusion Plants

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.

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.

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.

Confidentiality — Indigenous knowledge

Section 58 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act protects the confidentiality of Indigenous knowledge shared with the Regulator. Disclosure without written consent is prohibited, except when the knowledge is publicly available, necessary for procedural fairness in legal proceedings (with mandatory prior consultation), or authorized by regulation. The Regulator may impose conditions on disclosure and has immunity from liability for good-faith disclosures.

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.

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.

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.

Regulations

Section 96 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act authorizes the Regulator to establish regulations governing the design, construction, operation, and abandonment of interprovincial and international pipelines and designated power lines. Regulations must address surveillance, monitoring, safety, security, and environmental protection, and require operators to maintain management systems that incorporate human and organizational factors.

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.

Variation or transfer of certificates

The Canadian Energy Regulator Commission may vary or transfer energy certificates issued under the Act on its own initiative or upon application. The Minister may direct the Commission to recommend variations or transfers to the Governor in Council if deemed in the public interest. The Commission may impose conditions necessary to fulfill the Act's purposes when varying or transferring certificates.

Regulations — Governor in Council approval

Section 354 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act authorizes the Regulator to establish regulations (subject to Governor in Council approval) governing exemptions from reporting requirements, licence application procedures and information requirements, and standards for measurement units and instruments used in oil and gas export and import activities.

Appeal to Federal Court of Appeal

Section 72 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes the procedure for appealing Commission decisions to the Federal Court of Appeal on questions of law or jurisdiction. Applications for leave to appeal must be filed within 30 days of the decision, extendable only in exceptional circumstances, and appeals must be brought within 60 days of leave approval. Impact assessment reports are excluded from appealable decisions, and commissioners cannot be awarded costs in appeals.

DOE Patent Licensing Regulations

DOE patent licensing regulations establish procedures for granting nonexclusive, exclusive, or partially exclusive licenses to inventions from DOE-supported research and development. The Secretary of Energy determines license grants based on U.S. national interests. The regulations define appeal rights for denied applicants, terminated licensees, and third-party objectors, with appeals filed to the Deputy General Counsel within 30 days of agency action.

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).

Specific Domestic Licenses to Manufacture or Transfer Certain Items Containing Byproduct Material

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.

Authorization to continue

Under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 51, the Lead Commissioner may authorize a departing commissioner to continue exercising regulatory powers in assigned matters until final decisions are issued, subject to conditions specified by the Lead Commissioner.

Orders of court

Court order provision under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act enabling judges to impose remedies on persons convicted of offences involving actual or potential unintended releases of oil, gas, or commodities from pipelines. Available remedies include operational prohibitions, environmental monitoring and audits, restoration, community service, publication of facts, notification requirements, financial penalties, compliance bonds, and educational donations, with orders valid for up to three years.

Coming into force and cessation of effect — Commission

Section 67 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act empowers the Commission, designated officers, and inspection officers to specify effective and cessation dates for authorization documents and orders, or impose conditions controlling their timing. Interim orders may be issued with decisions reserved, except for Part 3 certificates.

Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear Power Plants

Licenses and Radiation Safety Requirements for Irradiators

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.

Reasons

The Canadian Energy Regulator and its designated officers must issue written reasons for all decisions and orders, which must be made publicly available except for decisions concerning only internal administrative matters.

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.

Confidentiality

The Canadian Energy Regulator or a designated officer may take enforcement measures and issue orders to ensure compliance with confidentiality and information disclosure obligations under section 58 and related regulations.

Period of validity

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

Standard Specifications for the Granting of Patent Licenses

Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear Material

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.

If pipeline affixed to any real property or immovables

Section 224 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes that pipeline sections affixed to real property, utilities, or navigable waters remain the exclusive property of the pipeline company and do not become part of underlying property without written consent and Regulator notice. Pipeline companies retain rights to create liens, mortgages, charges, and security interests on affixed sections under specified regulatory circumstances.

Operators' Licenses

Suspension or revocation of licences — contravention

The Canadian Energy Regulator may suspend or revoke a licence if the holder breaches a licence condition or if the regulator deems it in the public interest (with ministerial approval). The licence holder must receive notice of the alleged contravention and an opportunity to respond before any order is made.

Offence and punishment

Section 99 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act establishes criminal penalties for violating CER orders or regulations. Penalties include fines up to CAD 1 million and/or five years imprisonment on indictment, or CAD 100,000 and/or one year on summary conviction.

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.

Regulations respecting accounts, etc.

The Canadian Energy Regulator may establish regulations governing accounting practices and record-keeping for pipeline operators, oil/gas/electricity exporters, and licensed entities. Requirements cover account maintenance methods, depreciation accounting, uniform account systems, and submission of records on capital, revenues, expenses and operational matters. Violations are summary offences unless due diligence is demonstrated.

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.

Powers

The Canadian Energy Regulator Tribunal possesses the powers of a superior court within its jurisdiction, including authority to compel witness attendance, administer oaths, examine witnesses, demand document production, and enforce orders. The Tribunal is not bound by formal rules of evidence but must respect legal privileges recognized under evidence law.

Variation of sanctions

Under Canadian Energy Regulator Act section 176, courts may vary sanctions orders against offenders upon application if circumstances have changed. Courts can modify prohibitions, directions, requirements, or conditions; extend enforcement duration up to one year; reduce duration; or partially or fully relieve compliance obligations after hearing the offender, regulator, and interested parties.