Update to Group 1 Pipeline Company Lists

Summary#

This final regulation (SOR/2020-51) updates the lists of large federally regulated pipeline companies in two accounting regulations. It replaces the Group 1 company lists in the Oil Pipeline Uniform Accounting Regulations and the Gas Pipeline Uniform Accounting Regulations to reflect name changes, additions and removals. The amendments were registered on March 16, 2020 and published on April 1, 2020.

What it does#

• Replaces Schedule VII of the Oil Pipeline Uniform Accounting Regulations with an updated Group 1 oil company list, including:
  • Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (added)
  • Enbridge Pipelines (NW) Inc. (added)
  • Kinder Morgan Cochin ULC (formerly Cochin Pipe Lines Ltd.)
  • Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC (formerly Trans Mountain Pipe Line Company Ltd.)
  • Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. (no change)
  • TransCanada Keystone Pipeline GP Ltd. (added)
  • Notes: Interprovincial Pipe Line Limited and Interprovincial Pipe Line (NW) Limited were removed because they are no longer regulated entities.
• Replaces Schedule VIII of the Gas Pipeline Uniform Accounting Regulations with an updated Group 1 gas company list, including:
  • Alliance Pipeline Ltd. (added)
  • Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd. (no change)
  • Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Management Ltd. (added)
  • NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (added)
  • TransCanada PipeLines Limited (no change)
  • Trans Québec & Maritimes Pipeline Inc. (no change)
  • Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra Energy Transmission (formerly Westcoast Transmission Company Limited)
  • Note: Alberta Natural Gas Company Ltd. was removed because it is no longer a regulated entity.
• These are administrative updates to make the regulatory lists match current reality. They do not change the accounting rules themselves.
• The amendments came into force on the date of registration (March 16, 2020).

Who's affected#

• The pipeline companies listed as Group 1 in the updated schedules.
• The Canadian Energy Regulator, which uses these lists for financial and accounting oversight.
• Parties who rely on those lists for regulatory, accounting or contracting purposes (for example, auditors or major shippers), because the official lists are now up to date.

Why it matters#

• Having accurate lists in the regulations removes confusion about which companies are treated as large, Group 1 pipeline companies for accounting rules.
• The change is administrative only: it does not create new duties, costs or policy changes for companies or the public.
• It helps ensure a smooth regulatory transition after repeal of the old National Energy Board law and the move to the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, by keeping the underlying regulations aligned with current company names and status.