CER Pandemic Response
The COVID-19 pandemic continued to have an impact throughout the world for the entire 2020-21 fiscal year
For the CER, this meant that many of its staff would serve the public every day from about 500 locations across Canada, working from kitchen tables, makeshift home offices and in the field with additional safety protocols and gear.
And every single day, CER staff got the job done; applications were reviewed, engagement with Indigenous peoples and stakeholders continued, and energy trends were compiled, analyzed and released to the public.
Oversight of CER-regulated energy infrastructure also continued in 2020-21, as the CER adapted how it conducted its compliance verification activities - including in person inspections - to protect the health and safety of CER staff, regulated companies, and all those it works closely with.
As the CER considered COVID-19 a hazard that companies needed to identify and manage, the organization worked to verify that companies were taking all steps required to protect their workers and nearby communities from the impacts caused by the pandemic.
Most importantly, all of this work and these modified processes were carried out without compromising safety, oversight or environmental monitoring.
The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator also adjusted a number of its adjudicative processes to replace in-person meetings with alternative formats, such as written or virtual proceedings. This allowed the Commission to continue to offer processes that were fair, timely, transparent and accessible, while also respecting physical distancing measures.
Thanks to an enormous team effort and solid business continuity planning, CER business operations continued uninterrupted throughout the entire year.
Looking back, the people of the CER learned a great deal about their ability to harness individual and collective strengths to adjust how the organization works and serves Canadians. While the CER continues to assess the future of the workplace beyond the pandemic, Canadians can be assured that the CER will continue to be dedicated to the safety and well-being of the public, Indigenous communities, its staff and the companies it regulates.