ARCHIVED – National Energy Board – 2017–18 Departmental Plan
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Key risks: things that could affect our ability to achieve our plans and results
Key risks
| Risks | Risk response strategy | Link to the department’s Core Responsibilities | Link to mandate letter commitments or to government-wide and departmental priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
Incident involving NEB-regulated infrastructure Incident involving NEB-regulated infrastructure resulting in a serious injury, fatality or significant environmental damage. |
Risk Tolerance: Mitigate Develop and implement specific risk mitigation and action plan; assign resources to minimize risk; monitor implementation. Measurement: Assigned risk ownership and quarterly risk monitoring and reporting to gauge the effectiveness of risk responses. |
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Strengthening stakeholder relationships Ineffective strategies or actions to strengthen diverse stakeholder relationships (with Indigenous Peoples, landowners, regional interests, industry, Canadians). |
Risk Tolerance: Mitigate Develop and implement specific risk mitigation and action plan; assign resources to minimize risk; monitor implementation. Measurement: Assigned risk ownership and quarterly risk monitoring and reporting to gauge the effectiveness of risk responses. |
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Incomplete data and information Incomplete data and information due to differing and/or outdated business systems, business rules and processes, which could result in a compromised ability to conduct analysis, deliver on regulatory initiatives, or provide accurate information to the public. |
Risk Tolerance: Mitigate Develop and implement specific risk mitigation and action plan; assign resources to minimize risk; monitor implementation. Measurement: Assigned risk ownership and quarterly risk monitoring and reporting to gauge the effectiveness of risk responses. |
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Disclosure of sensitive information Accidental or intentional disclosure of sensitive information that could impact financial markets, pose a breach of the Government of Canada Policy on Government Security, or lead to a loss of public trust. |
Risk Tolerance: Mitigate Develop and implement specific risk mitigation and action plan; assign resources to minimize risk; monitor implementation. Measurement: Assigned risk ownership and quarterly risk monitoring and reporting to gauge the effectiveness of risk responses. |
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n/a |
Harm to a member of the public, NEB staff or a Board Member An action, conduct, threat or gesture that could cause harm to a member of the public, NEB staff, or a Board Member (for instance, in conducting lifecycle activities, during a hearing, or other engagement activity). |
Risk Tolerance: Mitigate Develop and implement specific risk mitigation and action plan; assign resources to minimize risk; monitor implementation. Measurement: Assigned risk ownership and quarterly risk monitoring and reporting to gauge the effectiveness of risk responses. |
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Risk Analysis
Risk-based compliance verification planning
As a key element of proactive incident prevention, the NEB compiles information on regulated company performance for the purposes of establishing trends, and for assessing the amount of oversight required in the future. The results of compliance verification activities are used along with other inputs, such as incident data, to inform the NEB’s compliance plan for the coming year.
The safety of Canadians and protection of the environment are key considerations in NEB operations. To reduce safety risks, a proactive approach to incident prevention is critical. That is why all available actions are taken by the NEB to protect the environment and the public with an emphasis on learning from past incidents and reducing future incidents. This is aided by a focus on data collection and analysis, while making information about pipeline safety performance available to Canadians. Compiling information on company performance helps the NEB to establish trends and assess the appropriate level of oversight needed. The NEB will use trend information to direct its resources towards improving performance of companies through management systems and ultimately the performance of the industry.
NEB processes are increasingly seen as an avenue to voice concerns over the future of energy in Canada. There is a risk that increased public interest of the type that escalates to disruption or threats may result in harm to members of the public, NEB staff, or a Board Member. The NEB will always provide an opportunity for Canadians to be heard, and conducting NEB business in a secure manner is paramount to ensuring safety to individuals and the right to be heard with respect.
Increased public interest in energy information has been a primary determinant of the NEB’s ramped up efforts to efficiently supply accessible and transparent data. Enhancing current systems and processes, while streamlining data and information management practices, will reduce the risk of incomplete data and information. Relatedly, it is important to protect the data and information the NEB manages. Accidental or intentional disclosure of sensitive information has the potential to impact financial markets, pose a breach of the Government of Canada Policy on Government Security, or lead to a loss of public trust. Physical and information technology security controls and improvements, coupled with ongoing employee training on proper information management practices, will help to mitigate this risk.
Seeking to strengthen relations with Indigenous Peoples as well as landowners, regional representatives, industry, and Canadians is aligned with a broader Government-wide commitment, and, for the NEB is critical to seeking public input on major resource developments and potential environmental impacts. Any dialogue on energy infrastructure, safety and environmental protection must recognize the unique needs of all NEB stakeholder relationships. Implementing a public engagement strategy that includes a plan for meeting the distinct engagement needs of differing groups, combined with a regional NEB presence, will facilitate relationship-building now and into the future. Engagement with our stakeholders incorporates both educating about energy information, regulatory processes and the NEB’s role as a lifecycle regulator, and also incorporating stakeholder concerns into our own understanding of their views.
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