IAMC Line Wide Gathering 2025

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.ca
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

Only 4 weeks until Line Wide! Make sure you've registered at https://site.pheedloop.com/event/LINEWIDE2025/register#category

The registration deadline is September 23. Register today!

Total reactions: 2

Spill Response Exercise at Chawathil First Nation Indigenous Monitors took part in a hands-on spill response exercise led by Lori Solsberg, who’s been working in the field since 1986! He even brought along a spill response plan he wrote nearly 40 years ago. The training brought together: Monitors from across the region, including a participant from Montana First Nation who flew in for the session. Chawathil’s own FireSmart crew, which is led by a local woman and focused on fire mitigation and emergency response. This training helps strengthen emergency preparedness and supports Indigenous leadership in environmental protection. Photos credit: Mary Fowles

Total reactions: 5

Total reactions: 1

Safety First: Indigenous Monitoring in Action The Indigenous Monitoring Subcommittee (IMSC) is always working to improve safety—on the land and in our communities. Safety isn’t just about rules. It’s about respect: Respect for nature: don’t leave garbage behind. Respect for culture: say a prayer and offer tobacco for protection. Respect for each other: build a strong safety culture together. At a recent IMSC meeting, Peter Snow shared summer safety tips for Albertans and reviewed a Health & Safety Program document. The message was clear: safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we must continually advocate for higher safety standards. Photo credit: Mary Fowles

Total reactions: 1

IAMC-TMX is pleased to invite you to the We Are All Medicine training – a transformative learning opportunity taught by the Moose Hide Campaign and offered free of charge by the IAMC-TMX. Join us in deepening our collective commitment to ending gender-based violence and fostering healing within our communities. Free registration with the IAMC-TMX expires on August 30th, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. To see if you qualify, please email info@iamc.ca. Those who sign up will receive their access code by the first week of September. This course is a self-paced, online learning module. You can complete the training at your convenience using a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access. This 1-2 hour course does not have to be taken in one sitting and must be completed by April 30th, 2026.

Total reactions: 1

Collaboration in Action The Indigenous Monitoring Subcommittee (IMSC) and the Emergency Management Subcommittee (EMSC) met recently to share knowledge and strengthen connections. Why it matters: • Emergencies like extreme weather, wildfires, landslides, and oil spills disproportionately affect Indigenous lands and communities. • Indigenous monitoring and emergency management both deal with issues like safety and responding to risks. • Indigenous Monitors play a key role in monitoring for geohazards and reviewing CER (Canada Energy Regulator) incident reports. • Both subcommittees are working to build a stronger safety culture and support Indigenous-led emergency response. The mandate to support Indigenous Communities’ emergency management capacity and involvement in incident response is written into IAMC’s Terms of Reference. Together, we’re working to make sure Indigenous rights and worldviews help shape emergency management policies and practices. Photos of Marcel Shackelly - IMSC co-chair and Tina Donald - EMSC chair, credit Mary Fowles.

Total reactions: 16

Registration is Now Open! IAMC Line Wide Gathering 2025 October 14-17, 2025, Calgary, Alberta You’re invited! ✅Line 3 IAMC Members and Staff ✅Community Representatives (see registration for details about travel cost coverage) ✅IAMC-TMX Subcommittee Members ✅IAMC-TMX Indigenous Caucus and Staff ✅Federal/Provincial Government Representatives ✅Trans Mountain Representatives ✅Virtual Attendees Register now: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/LINEWIDE2025/register#category

Total reactions: 4

Funding Available for Indigenous Participation in Energy Regulation (IMARs 2025–26) The Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements Regulations (IMARs) Participant Funding Program provides financial support and access to technical expertise to Indigenous groups interested in participating in the regulatory process for IMARs. Eligible recipients include: ✅Indigenous communities or governments ✅Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council) ✅National and regional Indigenous councils, and tribal organizations ✅Indigenous (majority owned and controlled by Indigenous people) for-profit and not-for-profit organizations Funding is available from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Register to attend one of the upcoming virtual IMARs sessions for Indigenous groups that would like to learn more about the funding offered and how to apply: July 24: Register here https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7eb00a43-ed48-451f-a075-a7c76cc22e53@05c95b33-90ca-49d5-b644-288b930b912b Aug. 21: Register here https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7e6a2448-c360-416e-a54c-50446a1592ba@05c95b33-90ca-49d5-b644-288b930b912b Sept. 9: Register here https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/bbebb9f1-61d8-44dc-be6e-f1554567f756@05c95b33-90ca-49d5-b644-288b930b912b More info: https://www.iamc.ca/funding/

Newsletter Subscription

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