National Energy Board releases Confidential Disclosure (Whistleblower) Procedure

CALGARY, April 26, 2016 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB) today released its new Confidential Disclosure (Whistleblower) Procedure, which will provide the NEB with a formalized way to receive, track and handle confidential disclosures with respect to activities at NEB regulated pipelines and facilities.

The procedure will lead to a new online anonymous reporting tool and mechanism for confidential communication with tipsters. Based on a wide review of best practices, it also establishes roles within the NEB responsible for guarding the security and confidentiality of the disclosure and assessing the information received to determine follow-up actions.

The NEB has long encouraged the reporting of non-compliances associated with regulated companies. The refinement of the NEB's internal processes for the receipt and assessment of confidential disclosures will help verify that companies are complying with regulations and support a robust process to address the increased volume of reports over the past two years.

The procedure also provides that follow up on disclosures will continue to use established NEB compliance and enforcement tools.

Associated Links:
Confidential Disclosure (Whistleblower) Procedure (http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/cntcts/cntctwhstlblwr-eng.html)

Quick Facts:

• It is a priority of the NEB to safeguard the security and confidentiality of the disclosure.

• The formalized procedure is based on a thorough review of existing public disclosure legislation from Canadian and international jurisdictions, as well as an independentconsultant's review of more than 40 Canadian whistleblower policies across a wide spectrum of public and private sectors and industries.

• All gaps identified by the consultant's report are addressed in the new Confidential Disclosure Procedure.

• The NEB has already begun implementing this procedure, including the training of staff and establishment of a specialized team to assess potential disclosures.

• Once fully implemented, the procedure will allow tipsters to fill out an online report that will be used for communication and the secure storage and handling of disclosures. Current reporting methods, found here: http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/cntcts/cntctwhstlblwr-eng.html) will be used until the new form is finalized.

Quote:

"Protecting the safety of workers, the public and the environment is the National Energy Board's top priority and we need to know if and when people believe that regulations aren't being followed. This modern Confidential Disclosure policy puts us on the leading edge of doing it right," said Peter Watson Chair and CEO, National Energy Board.

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.

SOURCE National Energy Board

James Stevenson, Communications, National Energy Board, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]