(OTTAWA) August 26, 2016 – The Green Party of Canada is calling for the replacement of two National Energy Board Commissioners after they met secretly with former Quebec Premier Jean Charest to discuss the Energy East pipeline project.
On Aug. 23, Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), sent a letter to Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr to express her concern over a Jan. 15, 2015 meeting between Charest and NEB Commissioners Jacques Gauthier and Lyne Mercier.
“It seems apparent that this private meeting between NEB officials and Mr. Charest may have harmed the integrity of the evaluation process of the Energy East pipeline project by the NEB,” Ms. May said.
“Even more disturbing is that in July, the NEB officials denied that this commissioners discussed the Energy East proposal with Mr. Charest, only to change their story this August and issue a public apology,” Ms. May said.
Daniel Green, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada, will provide testimony at the NEB’s Energy East hearings in Montreal on Aug. 29 on behalf of Société pour Vaincre la Pollution (SVP).
“The NEB must be above reproach during the review process of the Energy East pipeline project. The private meeting between NEB commissioners Mercier and Gauthier and a TransCanada lobbyist has tarnished the process,” Mr. Green said. “These commissioners must be replaced quickly.”
-30-
For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
m: (613) 614-4916