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Section II - Analysis of Program Activities

2.1 Strategic Outcome

Safe and secure pipelines and power lines built and operated in a manner that protects the environment and enables efficient energy markets.

The NEB's two main program activities (Energy Regulation and Energy Information) are supported by a third program activity (Internal Services). The following sections provide detail on the program activities, including expected results and the financial and non-financial resources required for each.

As part of its measurement plan, the NEB has established service standards which identify specific delivery targets or timelines for key services. Meeting service standard targets consistently and with quality results reflects the NEB's commitment to efficient and effective regulatory processes. More information on the NEB's Strategic Plan and NEB service standards is available on the NEB's website (http://www.neb-one.gc.ca).

2.2 Program Activity: Energy Regulation Program

Program Activity Expected Results
NEB-regulated facilities and activities are safe and secure The environment is protected throughout the lifecycle of NEB-regulated facilities and activities Canadians benefit from efficient energy infrastructure and markets The rights and interests of those affected by NEB-regulated facilities and activities are respected
Performance Indicators			Targets
Companies have adequate and effectively implemented safety, integrity and environmental management systems and programs			100% of companies regulated by the NEB have safety, integrity and environmental systems and programs in place
Percent of planned compliance activities completed			100% of planned compliance activities are completed
The Board's regulatory processes are measurably efficient and effective			All NEB service standards for its regulatory services are met (service standards are available on the NEB's internet site at: http://www.neb-one.gc.ca under “Who we are and our governance”)
Percent of planned financial regulatory audits completed			100% of planned financial regulatory audits are completed
Stakeholders are satisfied with NEB processes, information and interaction			80% of stakeholders who provide feedback are satisfied with NEB processes, information and interaction
Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013	2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013
23.9	22.9	21.4	178.24	178.24	178.24

Program Activity Summary: This program provides the Canadian public, project proponents and other government agencies with regulation of the construction and operation of international and designated inter-provincial power lines; construction, operation, and tolls and tariffs on international and inter-provincial pipelines; energy trade; and exploration and development in certain frontier and offshore areas. The companies regulated by the Board create wealth for Canadians through the transport of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, and through the export of hydrocarbons and electricity. As a regulatory agency, the Board's role is to help create a regulatory framework which allows these activities to occur when they are in the public interest. The public interest is inclusive of all Canadians and refers to a balance of economic, environmental and social interests that change as society's values and preferences evolve over time.

The Energy Regulation program has two sub-program activities:

• The Energy Regulation Development program provides the regulatory expectations for applications and compliance with regulatory decisions. In order to make decisions in the Canadian public interest and to provide regulatory leadership that is responsive, proactive and innovative, the NEB must continually develop, improve and communicate regulations, regulatory and compliance tools, guidance, and processes. Related activities include developing and maintaining Memorandums of Understanding and workplans, providing regulatory and technical expertise through standards associations, and sharing best practices.
• The Energy Regulation Implementation program provides assessment and processing of regulatory applications submitted under the Acts administered by the NEB. It also provides regulatory oversight of energy infrastructure and markets through monitoring and enforcement activities. Responsibilities are pursuant to the NEB Act, COGO Act, CPR Act and the Canada Labour Code. Related services include stakeholder engagement and liaison, addressing landowner complaints, and facilitating appropriate dispute resolution.

Planning Highlights: To achieve the expected results, the NEB plans to:

Continue to develop a clear and coherent regulatory framework, with supporting processes and tools to achieve the NEB's public interest mandate, by:

• Coordinating federal environmental assessments of facilities and activities which, if approved, would fall under NEB regulation.
• Continuing the development of a public participation program to respect the rights and interests of those affected by NEB-regulated facilities and activities.
• When updating or creating NEB regulations and guidance materials, ensure that they are modern, goal oriented and effective.
• Ensuring compliance processes are coordinated with each other and aligned with the NEB's goal oriented approach to regulation.
• Ensuring incident and investigation practices allow root causes of safety loss to be identified and resolved.

Improve performance of regulated companies by:

• Measuring the performance of regulated industry to determine trends and to identify need for regulatory action.

Provide timely regulatory decisions in the Canadian public interest by:

• Engaging stakeholders to enable effective participation in NEB processes.
• Continually improving application assessment processes, including increased use of internet-based tools.
• Ensuring that Board Members and staff are informed of current and emerging issues in energy and related regulatory areas.

Benefits for Canadians: This program activity contributes to safe, secure and economically efficient energy infrastructure that is built and operated in a manner that protects the environment. The NEB contributes to Canada's energy future by creating a regulatory framework that balances economic, environmental and social dimensions of the facilities and the activities it regulates in the public interest. This framework enables procedural fairness and streamlining in regulatory processes. It provides regulatory expectations for industry to achieve through a goal oriented approach, which encourages innovation and cost effective solutions. The NEB's Quality Management System provides the basis for continual improvement as it works toward its regulatory outcomes.

2.3 Program Activity: Energy Regulation Program

Program Activity Expected Results
Canadians benefit from efficient energy infrastructure and markets
Performance Indicators			Targets
The Board's advice and energy information products are relevant and timely
Feedback from internal and external clients on Energy Information Program products via questionnaires after workshops, comments cards with publications, interviews with clients			80% of feedback from clients indicates they find Energy Information Program products useful and relevant
NEB website provides timely and relevant energy market information			5% increase in visits to content on the NEB website from previous year
Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013	2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013
4.0	3.8	3.6	30.23	30.23	30.23

Program Activity Summary: The NEB's Energy Information program provides the Board, industry, policy makers, and the Canadian public with energy information. This includes providing an outlook for supply and demand of energy commodities in Canada to assist in decision-making regarding energy infrastructure and markets by policy makers, industry and the public.

This program meets requirements under Part II of the NEB Act by informing Canadians about energy market developments and issues related to the Board's regulatory mandate, which are primarily in the gas, oil and electricity market sectors, and under Part VI of the NEB Act by providing market analysis to determine whether exports are surplus to Canadian needs and Canadians are able to access energy at fair market prices.

Planning Highlights: The NEB will provide relevant, neutral and credible energy information through the following activities:

• Continuing to build and maintain capacity to collect and analyze energy market information.
• Providing information that is timely, objective and relevant to Canadians to assist them in making informed decisions on sustainable energy choices.
• Enhancing the accessibility of energy information products to external stakeholders.
• Making historical frontier data available in a readily accessible format while maintaining data integrity (pending funding approval).

Benefits for Canadians: Providing energy advice, information and market monitoring contributes to efficient Canadian energy markets, and economic growth for Canada, by allowing policy makers, industry and the Canadian public to have access to expert knowledge and energy market information so that they can make informed choices about energy options. This program focuses on providing Canadians with information that is timely, objective and relevant. Through its monitoring of energy exports, the Board ensures that Canadian energy users have access to domestically produced energy on terms and conditions at least as favourable as those available to export buyers, and ensures that energy markets are functioning properly.

2.4 Program Activity: Internal Services

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013	2010-2011	2011-2012	2012-2013
24.6	23.7	22.2	184.13	184.13	184.13

Program Activity Summary: Internal Services enable the NEB's mandate by providing, managing and maintaining necessary support services, including overseeing and administering the application of associated legislation and regulations. They include: Management and Oversight, Human Resources Management, Financial Management, Supply Chain Management, Facilities/Asset Management, Information Management, Information Technology, Evaluation Services, and Internal Audit Services.

Planning Highlights: To ensure the NEB has the capacity to effectively deliver on its mandate, the NEB will focus on the following activities:

• Proactively assessing and addressing current and emerging resource needs (e.g., human, financial, materiel, information, technology).
• Executing the NEB's People Strategy to create a positive working environment, thereby enhancing productivity and improving staff retention.
• Providing and promoting clear and consistent corporate processes, tools and behaviours to enhance organizational performance.

The highlights of the Internal Services program activity are linked to the NEB's management priorities, which include proactively addressing human resource needs and retention, improving information management systems, and developing tools to facilitate organizational effectiveness.

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