Two Burnaby politicians are calling on the National Energy Board (NEB) to extend its deadline for statements of opposition to the Trans Mountain expansion project.
Mayor Derek Corrigan and Kennedy Stewart, MP for Burnaby South, have heard from citizens who tried to submit their documents through the NEB website, but found the Kinder Morgan pipeline is not included in the list of projects.
“We have a growing list of constituents that stretches from Alberta to Burnaby whose land is being threatened by this pipeline, and they don’t feel like they can navigate this website or have any kind of say,” Stewart told the NOW. “(There’s) at least 2,200 people on the line. The NEB should be contacting these people and helping them through the process.”
The MP is concerned some residents are choosing not to file out of frustration and some are being denied their last opportunity to have their voices heard.
James Stevenson, a spokesperson with the NEB, admitted the e-filing system isn’t perfect.
Trans Mountain isn’t listed as one of the projects in the drop-down menu because “it’s not an active hearing yet,” he said.
“It’s a software thing, and we’re working on improving the process. ... It’s silly, but that’s the way it is.”
Stevenson noted users can still click on “Other” and file their statement of opposition. Affected landowners can also file via fax or mail, he said.
“It is absolutely not by intent, in terms of by design, to obfuscate the process, absolutely not,” Stevenson said. “Everything we can do to make it a little easier and to help people, we’re doing that.”
He said people can call the NEB at 1-800-899-1265 for help and step-by-step instruction of how to file.
“It’s not a 24-hour service, but leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
As for whether filing extensions will be granted, Stevenson said it all depends.
“It would depend on the timing involved in terms of an extension. If it was a matter of a couple days because there were glitches, absolutely it’s possible.”
Should residents believe they missed the filing deadline, Stevenson said to keep filing. A brief explanation of any late filings due to e-filing problems will be considered.
Landowners who anticipate their land may be “adversely affected” by the proposed route may file a statement of opposition within 30 days after Trans Mountain issues them their notice. The general public, meanwhile, has 30 days from the date of the last public notice published in the local paper. The last ad in the NOW was published on March 24.
The statement of opposition must relate to one or more of the following: the proposed location of the pipeline; the methods of pipeline construction; and/or the timing of pipeline construction. Statements that meet the NEB’s requirements will trigger a route hearing.
The NEB has received 50 opposition statements so far, said Stevenson.
Ways to file:
Online: www.neb-one.gc.ca/efile
By mail:
National Energy Board
Attn: Sheri Young, Secretary of the Board
Suite 210, 517 Tenth Ave. SW
Calgary, Alta.
T2R 0A8
By fax: 403-292-5503 or toll-free at 1-877-288-8803
