Following a lengthy regulatory process, which first began in January 2017, the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) issued the final order approving all 1,147 kilometres of the detailed route for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project last year. As construction of the Project can only proceed on lands where the detailed route has been approved, and applicable conditions have been met, this final approval ensures a clear path forward.

As part of the CER’s regulatory process, Trans Mountain submitted a Plan, Profile and Book of Reference (PPBoR). The PPBoR shows the proposed detailed right-of-way, as well as the landowners and occupants for more than 2,500 tracts of land required for the Project. These tracts are grouped on nearly 400 PPBoR sheets, which all required CER approval.

Landowners whose lands would be crossed by the pipeline, as well as Indigenous Peoples and others whose lands may be adversely affected, were able to object to the proposed detailed route. The CER assessed these objections, known as Statements of Opposition, according to the criteria set out in its decision on resuming regulatory processes for the Expansion Project.

Detailed route hearings were then held where the CER determined if a valid objection to the detailed route exists. The hearings allowed the panel appointed by the CER to listen to and consider people’s concerns around the proposed route. CER experts in engineering, environmental protection, socio-economics, safety and emergency management assessed the line from the conceptual corridor to the detailed route.

Throughout the hearing, there was extensive consultation with Indigenous communities, local governments, landowners and community residents. The diverse perspectives of everyone who participated in this process helped the CER finalize the exact placement of the pipeline and the most appropriate methods and timing of construction.

To learn more about the detailed route visit the CER’s website here.