The CER and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

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You, as Minister, are responsible for the Canada Energy Regulator, including:

  • Bringing CER project recommendations and regulations to the GIC for decision
  • Recommending GIC appointments for the CER’s CEO, Commissioners, and Board of Directors
  • Bringing forth CER-related Cabinet documents for decision (Memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board Submissions)
  • Recommending CER budget decisions as part of the appropriations process

Under the CER Act you, as Minister, may:

  • Provide policy guidance and direction to the CER on matters of general application, including regulation, broad policy matters, and correspondence
  • Request policy advice and recommendations from the CER
  • Request that the CER provide advice to another federal, provincial or territorial department or agency
  • Provide direction regarding project review timelines in certain cases

Responding to Ministerial Policy Requests

In December 2021, the Minister of Natural Resources requested that the CER undertake scenario analysis consistent with Canada achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 as soon as possible. In response, the next Canada’s Energy Future report, released in 2023, included modelling consistent with Canada’s net-zero commitments.

Responding to Requests from the Provinces and Territories – BC and Fuel Prices

In 2019, the CER (then NEB) was asked to participate in a BC Utilities Commission panel on gasoline supply in in BC. The BCUC’s final report relied heavily on graphs and statistics taken from the CER’s energy information products.

The CER can provide policy advice and recommendations to you at its own initiative

Most of the CER’s routine dealings with government are conducted through the NRCan Deputy Minister and other NRCan officials (NRCan Portfolio)

The CER Commission has adjudicative independence when making recommendations and decisions. It is a court of record. This independence is critical to ensuring public confidence that decisions and recommendations are fair, evidence-based, and transparent.

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