NWT - Proponents of the Mackenzie Gas pipeline are concerned some of the Joint Review Panel's recommendations "might inadvertently discourage or economically disadvantage responsible development in Canada’s North."

Pius Rolheiser says JRP recommendations could further complicate the Mackenzie Gas Project. - NNSL file photoo

On Jan. 28, Imperial Oil sent a 15-page letter to the National Energy Board on behalf of all the proponents in response to some of the panel's 176 recommendations for the project, which were released Dec. 31. The proponents mainly took issue with recommendations that hinged on future circumstances, those it felt went beyond the panel's mandate to review the pipeline project, and those it was already committed to under another mandate.

"The proponents note that many of the JRP’s Recommendations are far reaching and apply to activities that are not associated with the Mackenzie Gas Project," the letter concludes.

One such "far reaching" recommendation the proponents point out calls for Imperial Oil, Conoco-Phillips Canada, Exon Mobil Canada, Shell Canada and the Aboriginal Pipeline Group – along with the GNWT – to provide addiction prevention and sexual education programs in communities. The proponents responded they support those programs as set out in their pre-existing Mackenzie Gas Project Socio-Economic Agreement, but that "the actions specified in the Recommendation are properly within the responsibility of government."

Imperial Oil spokesperson Pius Rolheiser said the proponents commented on certain recommendations for two reasons; "one where we believed the recommendations could be potentially further complicating the regulatory process or resulting in significant additional delays to the regulatory process, and then in other ways we commented on specific recommendations that we believed would be a detriment to the execution of the project."

On Feb. 11, other parties to the regulatory hearings have a chance to respond to the National Energy Board, then on Feb. 18 Imperial will have another opportunity to respond to those comments in preparation for the final hearings in April.

O.D. Hansen, manager of communication and regulatory affairs for the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, said he has faith the board will weigh all factors wisely.

"We're confident they'll take the recommendations and our responses and make the right decision," he said.

"We believe that the Joint Review Panel were tasked to review this project on its own and not anything in the future and any of the recommendations that were to do with future projects shouldn't impact this project."

For Mackenzie Delta residents, it remains unanimous – the pipeline must go forward.

"I only have one comment: hurry it up," said Kurt Wainman, an Inuvik town councillor and president of Northwind Industries contracting company. Wainman said the JRP put forward "some pretty ridiculous recommendations," especially ones concerning areas where specific agreements are already in place.

"They're trying to make more rules but there's already a rule in place – that's pretty crazy," he said.