You might think Peter Watson, the new chair of the National Energy Board, has more pressing priorities than a five-month road trip to listen to Canadians, meet local mayors, municipal engineers and emergency responders, sit down with First Nations leaders and answer questions on everything from pipeline safety to climate change.
You’d be wrong, he says. “We want people to know we’re on the job. We want them to challenge us. People need to trust the NEB (National Energy Board) and believe in its ability to enforce the rules and regulations that are in place to protect Canadians and the environment.”
Watson, a career public servant who served as both deputy minister of the environment and deputy minister of energy in Alberta, was appointed chair and CEO of Canada’s energy regulator last August. He spent his first four months on the job evaluating every aspect of the Calgary-based public agency.
Carol Goar – Star Columnist – Apr 16 2015
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