Land Matters Group Advisory Committee (LMAC AC) Meeting Summary Notes - Meeting - 29 October 2025

Virtual Meeting – 29 October 2025

Meeting Opening

• Participants welcomed and meeting opened by Marc Pauzé
• Territorial acknowledgement

Review and Approval of Meeting Agenda and Meeting Minutes

• Approval of the meeting agenda
• Approval of the June 2025 Meeting Minutes

Opening remarks from the CER

Introduction of New Representatives

Marc Descôteaux, President, Association de professionnels en droit de passage et immobilier

Roundtable and Related Discussions

All participants introduced themselves and identified the organization they represent. Emerging issues included:

• Montréal area: cone markers inserted in landowner’s field without opportunity to coordinate the timing of the undertaking.
• Renewed interest in energy project in New Brunswick
• Damage prevention – unauthorized activities & depth of cover
• Indigenous access to private land
• Use of AI technology in LMAC meetings.

Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements Regulations

Speakers: Angelique Magee, Paula Pacholek and Hailee Lawson, Natural Resources Canada

Overview:

The proposed Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements Regulations (IMARs) aim to advance reconciliation and strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples, grounded in the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

Under sections 77 and 78 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CERA), the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources may establish ministerial arrangements with Indigenous governing bodies. If such arrangements are formalized through regulations, Indigenous bodies could assume certain powers, duties, or functions related to matters regulated under CERA. This may include participating in the regulatory oversight of federally regulated infrastructure, such as pipelines and powerlines—roles typically carried out by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER).

• A discussion paper is expected to be published in coming months.
• The speakers have been asked to return to the LMAC in February 2026 to share further progress updates.

Discussion Summary

• IMARS is based on CER Act, UNDRIP Act, and years of dialogue about Indigenous oversight.
•  Initial engagement has focused on Indigenous groups; industry engagement will increase soon.
• MARS will not add new processes but details on scope and efficiency are still being worked out. Expressed concerns that the arrangements could result in regulatory inefficiencies.
• IMARS focuses on delivering CER’s mandate; OPR review is about expectations.
• A comprehensive plan for Indigenous capacity-building is being considered.
• Equity in benefits sharing is acknowledged as an area of interest, though it is not within the scope of this project.
• Scope likely includes both Crown and private lands.
• Industry is concerned about Indigenous rights potentially overriding landowner rights; this is being considered.
• Need to balance Indigenous and landowner rights and ensure the availability of neutral third parties to address disputes.
• Industry concerned that it may find itself caught in the middle as it endeavours to manage landowner relationships while dealing with implementation of the new arrangements.

Land Agents Handbook – Summary of the Proposed Approach

Speakers: Annie-Marie Erickson, CER, and Keith Turner and Josh Vass, International Right-of-Way Association

Overview:

The purpose of this publication is to help landowners better understand the role and responsibilities of land agents, including what to expect from their interactions. This presentation outlined the proposed approach for development.

Discussion Summary

• The guidance described in the handbook will help landowners understand fair and equitable treatment by land agents wording for or on behalf of companies and may be useful even beyond CER (for example, provincially regulated pipelines).
• The information contained in the Handbook is mainly based on Alberta experience but is intended for broader, national use.
• Sharing through landowner associations is recommended.
• CER Alternative Dispute Resolution staff are recommended to be involved in the Handbook’s development.
• Ethics violations can be reported to IRWA if relevant; CER does not have the jurisdiction to enforce land agent conduct.
• Print format should be brief (ideally two pages) and align with existing land matters materials. An online version should also be posted on CER website.
• Dissemination should leverage local and regional associations.

Action Plan Update

Speakers: Carole Léger-Kubeczek

Overview:

The action plan consists of 4 categories: management and operations, strategic planning, education and information, and communications. The update shared progress made on action plan initiatives for year 2025-26. The action plan will be updated for year 2026-27 and LMAC members can provide the input that will shape the plan.

Discussion Summary

• Members will take time to identify Action Plan opportunities and bring them for discussion at the February 2026 meeting.
• The CER Dialogue forum could help LMAC members raise issues and advance Action Plan items between meetings.
• The CER will explore ways to make the forum more useful and accessible for regular member engagement.

Meeting Recap

Speakers: Véronique Duhamel, Marc Pauzé

• Action items:
  • Submit topics or agenda items for future meetings to Carole Léger-Kubeczek by 17 December 2025.
  • Complete the post-meeting survey.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be in-person at the CER’s head office in Calgary on 11-12 February 2026.

Adjournment

Marc Pauzé closed the meeting at 12:45 p.m. (MT).

Date modified:

2025-12-12