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A Message from Kristine Pearson

Hello from the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee. My name is Kristine Pearson, representing the Western Approach, coming from Pacheedaht First Nation.

I was selected to sit on the Indigenous Caucus as the Interim Member for the Western Approach, at a Regional Meeting held in Sooke in June 2017. Some of you were there to represent your communities along the shipping lanes associated with the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX).

There are 11 Indigenous members, as well as six senior representatives from federal departments and the National Energy Board, on the IAMC.

IAMC is not a pro-pipeline committee. Indigenous members’ participation is “without prejudice,” meaning it doesn’t indicate support or opposition to TMX. We sit with the federal regulators for information sharing, discussion and recommendations.

Our immediate goal is to make the TMX project as safe as possible and to lessen the impacts on environmental and Indigenous interests.

I also work on IAMC’s Marine Shipping Subcommittee. We’re currently focused on all the policies and information regarding the marine aspect of TMX, such as the Oceans Protection Plan.

Feel free to share this report with your communities, and please reach out to me on any questions or concerns. Look forward to meeting with you all.
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“Western Approach” Nations at IAMC.

The IAMC Terms of Reference lists a total of 129 Indigenous communities, from Alberta to Vancouver Island, that are potentially-impacted by TMX. The Western Approach nations are:
Ditidaht; Huu-ay-aht; Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’; Pacheedaht; Toquaht; Uchucklesaht; and Ucluelet.

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Indigenous Advisory Monitoring Committee (IAMC): Terms of Reference (ToR) update In December 2025, the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee working on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project approved an administrative update to its Terms of Reference (ToR). This update clarified language and reflected the Committee’s transition from construction into operations, without changing the Committee’s mandate or core governance structure. As the Trans Mountain Expansion moves fully into the operations phase, the IAMC‑TMX recognizes that this shift represents a significant change in focus and priorities. A more comprehensive review and update of the Terms of Reference is planned, including renewed engagement with Indigenous communities, to ensure the ToR continues to reflect the realities of operations‑phase oversight. This broader ToR update is planned for the new fiscal year, with community engagement forming a key part of that process. www.iamc.ca/iamc-tmx-terms-of-reference-amended-december-2025/

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Indigenous Monitoring Reports: Transparency in Action Technical reports from joint inspections and Indigenous-led inspections document observations and any compliance actions taken by regulators and support transparent oversight with Indigenous participation. These reports are available as the result of the work of the Indigenous Advisory Monitoring Committee (IAMC) which brings Indigenous leaders and federal partners together to advise regulators and ensure meaningful Indigenous oversight across all stages of the project. #IAMC #Transparency #Compliance #PublicReporting

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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC): Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC) The Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC) collaborates to improve how socioeconomic effects are identified, tracked, and managed; advising government and engaging Trans Mountain on Indigenous‑focused indicators. SESC is one of four subcommittees created by the IAMC-TMX to support their work on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion. The Committee brings Indigenous leaders and federal partners together to advise regulators and ensure meaningful Indigenous oversight across all stages of the project. #IAMC #SESC #Socioeconomic #CommunityWellbeing #UNDRIP www.iamc.ca/socioeconomic-subcommittee/

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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC): Emergency Management Subcommittee (EMSC) The Emergency Management Subcommittee (EMSC) focuses on Indigenous inclusion in emergency planning and preparedness, supporting training, exercises, and “all hazards” readiness with community partners. EMSC is one of four subcommittees created by the IAMC-TMX to support their work on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion. The Committee brings Indigenous leaders and federal partners together to advise regulators and ensure meaningful Indigenous oversight across all stages of the project. www.iamc.ca/emergency-management/ #IAMC #EMSC #EmergencyManagement #Preparedness #Community

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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC): Marine Shipping Subcommittee (MSSC) The Marine Shipping Subcommittee (MSSC) works with coastal communities on stewardship, spill response inclusion, and building capacity for Indigenous‑led monitoring on the water. MSSC is one of four subcommittees created by the IAMC-TMX to support their work on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion. The Committee brings Indigenous leaders and federal partners together to advise regulators and ensure meaningful Indigenous oversight across all stages of the project. www.iamc.ca/marine-shipping-subcommittee/ #IAMC #MSSC #MarineStewardship #SpillResponse #CoastalCommunities

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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC): Indigenous Monitoring Subcommittee (IMSC) The Indigenous Monitoring Subcommittee (IMSC) advances “boots on the ground” oversight, where Indigenous knowledge guides inspections, community involvement, and environmental protection throughout the Trans Mountain pipeline lifecycle. IMSC is one of four subcommittees created by the IAMC-TMX to support their work on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion. The Committee brings Indigenous leaders and federal partners together to advise regulators and ensure meaningful Indigenous oversight across all stages of the project. #IAMC #IMSC #IndigenousMonitoring #EnvironmentalProtection Read more: www.iamc.ca/im-program/

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Now that the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline is operating, what’s changed for the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC-TMX)? With more oil moving through the system, the stakes have gone up, and IAMC-TMX’s role is more important than ever. Before the expansion, the amount of oil running from Edmonton, AB to the shipping terminals in Burnaby, BC was enough to fill roughly one oil tanker each week. The extra capacity created by the expansion resulted in a significant jump, increasing marine traffic to several tankers per week through coastal waters. For as long as the pipeline exists, including through operations and eventual decommissioning, the IAMC‑TMX provides a forum to ensure Indigenous voices remain part of oversight as conditions, risks, and priorities evolve. www.iamc.ca/indigenous-caucus-of-the-iamc-tmx-responds-to-trans-mountain-expansion-project-approval/ #IAMC #TMX #Operations #MarineShipping

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Why were Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committees (IAMC) created? IAMCs were created to increase Indigenous participation and trust in the oversight of large energy projects. The model was co‑developed alongside the TMX project approvals and during the construction and early operations of the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Program. It has been funded over multiple federal budgets to sustain operations across the project lifecycle. Read Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Evaluation on IAMCs here: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/sites/nrcan/files/pdf/IAMC_EN.pdf #IAMC #Policy #Oversight #Reconciliation

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Indigenous Monitoring and IAMCs: How it Works Indigenous Monitors work alongside the Canada Energy Regulator and other federal partners to conduct inspections, participate in emergency exercises, and undertake compliance verification. They bring Indigenous knowledge to on-the-ground oversight. The work of Indigenous monitors is supported by the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC) which brings Indigenous leaders and federal partners together to advise regulators and ensure meaningful Indigenous oversight across all stages of major energy projects. Built on mutual respect and shared responsibility, IAMCs work collaboratively to protect environmental and Indigenous interests. Learn more: www.iamc.ca/im-program/ #IAMC #IndigenousMonitoring #CER #Stewardship

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