How to Participate as an Intervenor

This webpage provides a brief overview of how you can participate in a hearing process when you register as an intervenor. It also gives information on where to find details about the hearing process you register to participate in.

To participate as an Intervenor, you must register by the deadline and be confirmed as an Intervenor by the Commission.

Registration Deadline

For physical project applications (facilities applications):

Indigenous peoples on the Crown list may register at any time during the hearing. Those registering will be confirmed to participate as an Intervenor in any process steps remaining at the time of registration. Early registration is encouraged to maximize participation opportunities.

All others interested in participating as an Intervenor must register by the registration deadline. Late registrants will be required to provide an explanation for missing the deadline, which will be considered by the Commission in determining whether they will be confirmed as Intervenors.

For financial applications (toll/tariff applications):

If you are interested in participating as an Intervenor, you must register by the registration deadline.

Late registrants will be required to provide an explanation for missing the deadline, which will be considered by the Commission in determining whether they will be confirmed as Intervenors.

Confirmation

The Commission will confirm you as an Intervenor if you demonstrate that:

  1. your interests may be impacted by the project or application; OR
  2. you will provide relevant information and cannot provide it by only filing a letter of comment.

Guidance on the information required for each way of being confirmed as an Intervenor follows:

  1. Explain how your interests may be impacted by the project or application.
    1. For physical project applications (facilities applications):
      • Indigenous peoples on the Crown list do not need to provide this information.
      • Others that may be impacted must provide a brief explanation. Describe the nature of your interest and how it may be impacted. For example, you own lands near the proposed project (include address or other property identifier) and you may be impacted by noise and traffic during construction.
    2. For financial applications (toll/tariff applications):
      • Provide a brief explanation of the nature of your interest and how it may be impacted. For example, you are a current shipper on the pipeline (or may be a shipper in the future) and the application affects the toll you pay.
  2. If your interests are not impacted, explain what sort of information you will provide the Commission and why you require Intervenor status.
    1. Provide a brief description of the information you intend to supply and how it is relevant to the project or application. You may also wish to include the source of that information or your qualifications.
    2. Both Intervenors and Commenters have the right to file written submissions. Intervenors have the additional right to ask questions about the proponent’s and other parties’ written evidence and to provide argument. If you require Intervenor status (rather than Commenter status), explain why.
    3. For example, non-governmental organizations and industry groups may have information relevant to the project or application. They may require Intervenor status so they can ask the proponent questions and get answers before preparing their written submissions.

Being an intervenor

Being an intervenor is the most involved way to participate in a hearing, as it allows you to provide evidence, ask questions, and respond to questions from others.

As an intervenor, you may:

  • receive all documents filed during the hearing process;
  • submit written evidence and questions;
  • file and respond to motions;
  • comment on any draft conditions from the Commission; and
  • ask questions.

It is important to know that the information you submit will be available to the public, and that any views you share must relate to at least one of the issues listed for each project.

Intervenors should understand the hearing process and how to participate in it. You can do this by visiting the Applications and projects page on our website, where you’ll find the project you’re interested in. From this project page you can access the application and other documents in REGDOCS and the Hearing Process page.

You may also access any participant workshops that are offered online.

Where to find more information

You can find project webpages for most hearing processes on the CER’s website. The project page can be a useful tool for hearing participants as it gives quick access to:

  • key documents and information specific to a hearing process such as the hearing order, the hearing schedule, and procedural directions
  • news releases issued by the CER about the project
  • documents filed in the REGDOCS for the project by all participants
  • process advisor contact information

You can also visit the Contact Us page to get in touch with us for more information.

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