Oil sands

Public hearings

Process

The public hearing was conducted by the Joint Review Panel, an independent organization comprising two representatives of the Province of Alberta, mandated by Alberta’s Energy Resource Conservation Board (ERCB), and a third member representing the federal government, mandated by Environment Canada. The Joint Review Panel decided who had “intervenor status” to represent stakeholders and question the company about its project.
Intervenors could introduce witnesses and bring their own experts. All participation costs, such as travel expenses, studies and expert’s fees, were covered to ensure fair representation of all parties.

At the end of the hearing, the Joint Review Panel was tasked with submitting an opinion within 90 days to the Government of Alberta and Environment Canada, the federal environment department. If this opinion is favorable, the authorities concerned will issue their approval via an Order of Council within five months of the hearing.

Joslyn North Mine’s Public hearings

The Government of Alberta began reviewing Total’s Joslyn North Mine project in 2005.
Total submitted a comprehensive file detailing the project’s seven major phases and demonstrating its compliance with applicable legislation and regulations. The project was subsequently presented to the Joint Review Panel during a three-week public hearing from September 21 to October 8, 2010.

On January 27, 2011 the Panel, comprised of both federal and provincial authorities finds the Joslyn North Mine Project (JNMP) to be in the public interest and grants approval for the construction, operation, and reclamation of the Project.

On December 8, 2011 the Government of Canada gives its response for Joslyn North Mine Project

More information…

Joint Review Panel Documents are available on Canadia Environmental Assessment Agency
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency external website