History
History of the Project
- The Line 3 pipeline is an oil pipeline owned by Enbridge. Operating since 1968, it runs 1,659 kilometres from Hardisty, Alberta to Superior, Wisconsin in the United States.
- On December 1, 2016, the National Energy Board (NEB), now the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), authorized the construction and operation of the Line 3 Replacement Project. The authorization for the Project includes the decommissioning of the existing Line 3 pipeline. Collectively, 89 conditions were imposed on the Project.
- The Line 3 Replacement Project replaced approximately 1,070 kilometres of pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta to Gretna, Manitoba. Line 3 crosses territory of Treaty 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 and the homeland of the Métis. Over 90% of the project was built on what is today private land.
- Line 3/93 (formerly known only as Line 3) is one of six lines that form part of the Enbridge Mainline exiting western Canada and has the capacity to carry 760,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
- The Canadian portion of the replacement project was completed and became operational in December 2021. Decommissioning of the old pipeline in Canada was completed in October 2022.
- The Canadian component of the project represented an estimated $5.3 billion investment and is the largest project in Enbridge’s history. Government officials consulted with 109 potentially affected Indigenous groups, including face-to-face meetings with 36 groups. To respond to what it heard during these consultations, the Line 3 Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee was established.
Overview
Overview of the Line 3 IAMC
With the approval of the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project, the Government of Canada committed to co-developing an Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC) to work with federal regulators and the proponent to oversee safety and environmental justice throughout the project lifecycle.
In 2017, the Line 3 IAMC was created to enable First Nations Treaty rights-holders and Métis Nation regions to oversee and advise the Canadian government on the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project.
The Line 3 IAMC is dedicated to improving and transforming the regulatory system governing energy projects in Canada. It is a group that speaks up for and advises First Nations and the Métis Nation who are, or could be, impacted in an area called the Enbridge Corridor. This includes both pipelines (line 3 and 8 other lines) and the related infrastructure.
Since its creation, the Line 3 IAMC has worked with the federal government to promote safety and environmental protection along the pipeline route; led Indigenous monitoring during key phases; and brought First Nations and Métis Nation perspectives to the project.
The Line 3 IAMC is made up of 16 Indigenous Caucus seats, one Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) representative and one Canada Energy Regulator (CER) representative, with a Co-chair from the Indigenous Caucus and NRCan. The Indigenous Caucus represents 109 First Nation and Métis Nation and Regions across the Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) who are impacted by the project.
The Line 3 IAMC does not have control over funding or economic development, and does not intend to be a rights-holding body. The Line 3 IAMC is here to help ensure that Nations’ perspectives, concerns, and priorities are represented and taken into account in decisions that impact their lands, traditional territories, and resources.
Housed within NRCan, a Secretariat provides administrative, program, policy, strategic communications, and logistical support to the committee. An Indigenous individual has been hired to provide direct support to the Indigenous Caucus and reports to the Indigenous Co-chair.
Budget Announcements for the Line 3 IAMC
2017-2022: $21.6 million over five years to NRCan for the Line 3 IAMC to enable impacted Indigenous Nations to identify common priorities and provide informed advice on the Line 3 Replacement Project, through activities planned and implemented by its subcommittees.
2022-2024: $5.5 million over two years to continue the work of the Line 3 IAMC and planning for the future, which includes determining scope and governance as the new pipeline is now fully operational and decommissioning of the old one is complete.
2024-2027: $7.6 million over three years to continue the work of the Line 3 IAMC to examine a renewed vision of the committee, explore an expanded scope and enhance its Indigenous Monitoring and Training Program.
