Cross-Canada workshop series is just one example of Enbridge-CAEPLA collaboration in action

Cross-Canada workshop series is just one example of Enbridge-CAEPLA collaboration in action

Knowledge is power, but knowledge can also bring comfort and confidence.

That was the prevailing sentiment this past spring as Enbridge and the Canadian Association of Energy and Pipeline Landowner Associations (CAEPLA) held another series of workshops for landowners across Canada.

With top-of-mind topics such as biosecurity and preventative maintenance digs on the agenda, the CAEPLA-Enbridge Workshop Series—presented as “talks for, by and about landowners”—offered both informal presentations and a chance for landowners to have their questions answered by members of the Enbridge and CAEPLA teams.

“Having both CAEPLA and Enbridge together in the same room answering questions gives us more confidence in getting our concerns addressed,” said one workshop attendee and longtime landowner. “These workshops are very informative and positive. The format of these workshops is great . . . it encourages open participation of both landowners and Enbridge.”

CAEPLA advocates on behalf of farmers, ranchers and other rural landowners to promote safety and environmental protection. In early 2015, CAEPLA and Enbridge signed a precedent-setting business agreement on our Line 3 Replacement Program—allowing the two parties to move forward toward a more respectful and productive relationship between industry and directly affected landowners.

The most recent CAEPLA-Enbridge Workshop Series featured event stops in Brandon, MB, Outlook, SK and Ilderton, ON—and followed up on the inaugural series held in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2016.

“We believe Enbridge’s new relationship with CAEPLA demonstrates a newfound respect for landowners’ property rights and environmental stewardship, and signals a sincere commitment to safe pipelines,” CAEPLA president Dave Core said at the 2015 Enbridge Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shortly after the agreement was signed.

“When we reached out to industry to propose new ways of doing things, we were pleased to find (Enbridge President and CEO Al) Monaco and his team reaching back.”

As part of the agreement, Enbridge-CAEPLA collaboration has included:

• A new industry standard for biosecurity to curb any potential introduction or spread of clubroot;
• Research on the issues of pipeline decommissioning and external corrosion;
• Further outreach on Enbridge’s agricultural vehicle and equipment screening tool and app;
• More comprehensive communication to landowners on subjects like environmental mitigation and land reclamation.

The next CAEPLA-Enbridge Workshop Series will be held in November in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The Pipeline Construction 101 interactive workshop will explore everything landowners need to know about the life of a pipeline—from planning to “smart pigs” to operational practices.