Updates

Latest Updates and News

Deer-01

IAMC-TMX Indigenous Monitors Complete First-ever Joint Inspection with the B.C.EAO

June 30, 2022 – Vancouver, BC

The Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee for the Trans Mountain Expansion and Existing Pipeline (IAMC-TMX) yesterday completed its first-ever joint inspection with the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (B.C.EAO). This marks the first time the Indigenous Monitors have conducted an inspection with a provincial regulator.   

The IAMC-TMX Indigenous Monitors wrapped up the three day inspection in Hope, B.C. after examining the line between Chilliwack and Hope. The inspection also included the Westridge Marine Terminal, the Burnaby tank farm and sites in the metro Vancouver area.

During the three-day inspection the Indigenous Monitors and the B.C. EAO looked at the Burnaby tank farm where 14 new tanks are being built in anticipation of the end of the construction. They also visited two sites near Vancouver where archeological artifacts had been found and reported to regulators and Indigenous groups. These need to be further examined before construction can continue at those sites.

On the final day of the inspection the focus was on inspecting Culturally Modified Trees (CMT) and the proponent’s adherence to the B.C. EAO’s conditions and to Indigenous expectations and standards of practice.

The B.C. EAO issued an environmental assessment certificate for the project in 2017. The provincial certificate has different conditions from the federal Canada Energy Regulator. These cover matters of provincial jurisdiction such as road access t management, invasive species management and protection of Indigenous interests. A key goal of the EAO’s compliance and enforcement work is to engage First Nations in monitoring of projects within their territory, including Indigenous participation in inspections.

As the first inspection with a provincial regulator, it allowed the IAMC-TMX monitors to see compliance monitoring done from another angle, further enhancing their oversight of the project.

The IAMC-TMX Indigenous Monitoring program began as a pilot program in 2017 and since its inception over 170 inspections have been completed with the CER, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada.

The B.C. EAO has a robust compliance and enforcement program that carries out ongoing inspections of major industrial projects to make sure they are following the legally binding requirements of their environmental assessment certificate over the entire life of a project. Projects must be designed, built, operated and decommissioned in compliance with the conditions of the certificate, to help mitigate potential negative effects of a project, including environmental, social, cultural, Indigenous rights, health or economic effects.

Quotes

“Opening the door to inspections with the BC provincial regulator is an important step forward and the start of a special relationship between the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee and the B.C. EAO. Participating in inspections with the B.C. EAO will allow our monitors to see the whole picture, which we will be able to relay back to our communities. ”

– Raymond Cardinal, Chair, Indigenous Monitoring Subcommittee

For More Information:

www.iamc-tmx.com
www.facebook.com/iamc.tmx
www.twitter.com/iamc_tmx/
www.linkedin.com/company/indigenous-advisory-and-monitoring-committee-for-the-trans-mountain-expansion-and-existing-pipeline

https://projects.eao.gov.bc.ca/p/5885121eaaecd9001b82b274/project-details
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/environmental-assessments/compliance-and-enforcement

Contact:

Eric Burpee
IAMC-TMX Communications
613-894-7650
Email: eric.burpee@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Posted in

IAMC-TMX

Facebook

IAMC-TMX LINE WIDE GATHERING 2024 The Indigenous Caucus of the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and existing pipeline (IAMC-TMX) will be hosting its seventh annual Line Wide Gathering in-person on November 12-15, 2024. As the Trans Mountain pipeline enters the post construction phase, we find ourselves at a point of transition. We invite you to join us at the 2024 Line Wide Gathering to help us envision how the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC) can best be of service to you going forward.

6
1 Comments

On May 05, the IAMC-TMX is observing Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). The IAMC-TMX Socioeconomic Subcommittee is collaborating with Natural Resources Canada, the lead department for UNDA Action Plan Measure 12, to better understand and respond to the ongoing gendered and racialized violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people associated with the resource sector. On this important day, we encourage all Canadians to continue educating themselves about the MMIWG Calls for Justice and support MMIWG events in their local area.

2

The Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee for Trans Mountain (IAMC-TMX) welcomes Budget 2024's investment in our continued work. We'll continue to work on shared goals of safety and protection of environmental and Indigenous interests regarding lands and water.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21, recognizes past and present injustices and prejudices founded in racial discrimination, including the ongoing social and economic repercussions for Canada’s Indigenous peoples. The IAMC-TMX Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC) is committed to surfacing issues related to racial discrimination, including as this links to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, in the context of resource development activities. We show up for this work daily through direct engagement with Indigenous communities, research focused on Indigenous Peoples experience with the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, and our ongoing support to Indigenous communities building strengths in the area of socioeconomic monitoring. https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Executive_Summary.pdf

This page has an interactive map covering the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. Remember that the IAMC-TMX works on a “Without Prejudice” basis. Participation in the Committee does not indicate that a community supports or opposes the TMX Project www.iamc-tmx.com/faq/other-links-for-project-information/ #EnvironmentalProtection #IndigenousCollaboration #ClimateAction #IndigenousWisdom #SustainableFuture

2

Newsletter Subscription

If you would like to receive email notifications of the latest IAMC-TMX news updates, please sign up to our subscription service.

Twitter