Designated Authorities 101
Overview
The CER operates under a variety of legislation that allows certain authorities to be designated to employees of the CER.
Designated authorities for projects that cross borders
Through the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CER Act) we regulate oil and gas pipelines that cross provincial, territorial, or international borders. The Chief Executive Officer appoints Designated Officers, as well as alternates to act in their place. The CER Act specifies the authorities for Designated Officers related to orphan pipelines and orphan abandoned pipelines, and to safety considerations when pipelines are near mines. The Chief Executive Officer also appoints Administrative Monetary Penalty Officers to issue notices of violation for non-compliance and to promote safety and environmental protection.
Designated authorities for projects in the north and offshore
We have regulatory responsibilities for oil and gas exploration in parts of the north and offshore that are not under provincial or territorial regulation.
The Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act (COGOA) and Northwest Territories Oil and Gas Operations Act (OGOA) allow the Chief Executive Officer to appoint CER employees as the Chief Conservation Officer and the Chief Safety Officer, as well alternates to act in their place. The Commission decides whether to delegate certain powers to these appointees. The Commission also appoints Administrative Monetary Penalty Officers to issue notices of violation for non-compliance and to promote safety and environmental protection.
Table of designations
Relevant Act Provisions |
Title and Description |
Primary Designee and Biographic Snapshot |
Alternate Designee and Biographical Snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|
CER Act: s.101(2), 243(1), 244, 245(1) |
Designated Officer and alternate
|
Chioma Izugbokwe |
Jess Dunford |
CER Act: s.336, 338(1), 339 |
Designated Officer and alternate
|
Jess Dunford |
Chioma Izugbokwe |
CER Act: s.116(2) |
Administrative Monetary Penalty Officer under CER Act
|
Keith Landra |
Iain Colquhoun |
COGOA: s.3.1 OGOA: s.4 |
Chief Conservation Officer and alternate
|
Iain Colquhoun |
Paula Futoransky |
COGOA: s.5, 5.02, 5.03, 5.11, 5.12, 26.1 and 27 OGOA: s.10, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 64 |
Chief Conservation Officer and alternate
|
Iain Colquhoun |
Paula Futoransky Jess Dunford |
COGOA: s.3.1 OGOA: s.4 |
Chief Safety Officer and alternate
|
Keith Landra |
Claudine Bradley Biographical Snapshot:Dr. Bradley joined the CER in November 2009. She is currently Chair of the North American Regulatory Working Group on Safety Culture and Vice-Chair of the Canadian Standards Association Z662 Technical Sub-Committee on Management Systems. Prior to joining the CER, Dr. Bradley spent 17 years in the aviation industry where she led various airline safety, training, and operations teams. Her work in the private sector included the development and implementation of safety management systems, air crew training, human factors initiatives, quality programs, and flight operations’ regulatory compliance. Professional Affiliations, Degrees and Distinctions:
David Paynter Biographical Snapshot:David Paynter has been with the CER since 2019. Before joining the CER, David worked with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in compliance verification and enforcement. David also has several years of experience working as a safety professional in the non-destructive testing industry. David has been an active Safety Officer under COGOA and OGOA since 2021 and is familiar with all the required procedures to conduct work as a Chief Safety Officer. |
COGOA: s.71.02(b) |
Administrative Monetary Penalty Officer under COGOA
|
Keith Landra |
Iain Colquhoun |
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