2025–26 Annual Report of the Canada Energy Regulator
Copyright/Permission to Reproduce
ISSN 2563-3155
Table of Contents
- Message from the Interim Chairperson
- Message from the Chief Executive Officer
- Message from the Indigenous Advisory Committee Chairperson
- Overview of the Canada Energy Regulator
- The CER's Achievements in 2025–26
- What the Future Holds
- Appendix A: Biographies
Message from the Interim Chairperson
As Interim Chairperson of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the CER’s Annual Report for 2025-26. I was appointed to this role effective 11 June 2026. In a time of continued change across Canada’s energy landscape, the Board remains focused on providing strategic advice and direction to ensure the organization fulfills its mandate as Canada’s federal energy regulator, with rigour, transparency and accountability to Parliament and Canadians.
Over the past year, the CER has continued to demonstrate its strength as a modern and efficient lifecycle regulator. Its work remains grounded in preventing harm — protecting people, property, and the environment — while adapting to increasing system complexity, evolving market dynamics and rising expectations from Indigenous Peoples and Canadians. The Board is encouraged by the CER’s continued focus on strong safety and environmental oversight, effective and timely adjudication processes and providing credible, accessible energy information at a pivotal time for Canada in a changing global energy market.
At a time when Canada is increasingly focused on strengthening economic resilience, supporting major infrastructure development and powering future growth as reflected in the Building Canada Act, confidence in the regulatory system depends on maintaining a balanced approach that advances safety, environmental stewardship and economic progress. Together, these functions underpin public trust and help ensure that regulatory decisions remain clear, predictable, and sound.
Advancing Reconciliation remains central to the CER’s mandate. Guided by the advice from the Indigenous Advisory Committee, the Board continues to support efforts to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples and to enhance Indigenous participation in regulatory processes and oversight. This work is essential to improving outcomes, strengthening resilience, and building a more inclusive and effective regulatory system.
The Board also recognizes the importance of continuous improvement. As Canada's energy system evolves and interest grows in developing and expanding energy infrastructure, efforts to modernize regulatory tools, streamline processes, and enhance coordination are strengthening the CER’s ability to deliver timely decisions while maintaining strong protections for safety, the environment and Indigenous rights.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to George Vegh, whose appointment as Board Chair concluded 31 July 2025, and to François Tanguay, Director, whose term concluded 30 November 2025, for their leadership, service, and valued contributions to the work of the Board. I would also like to thank Melanie Debassige for having taken on the Acting Chairperson role from August to October of 2025. Their commitment to strong governance and strategic oversight has made an important contribution to the CER. I also thank CER staff and senior leadership for their professionalism, expertise, and dedication.
With confidence in the path ahead, I am proud to submit the CER’s 2025-26 Annual Report to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Dale Eisler
Interim Chairperson
Board of Directors of the Canada Energy Regulator
Message from the Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CER, I am proud of the results we have achieved and the progress we have made over the past year as we deliver our mandate.
The CER regulates pipelines, power lines, energy trade, and certain offshore renewable energy projects and Northern oil and gas activities in the Canadian public interest. Across all our work, our focus remains on protecting people, property and the environment, upholding Indigenous rights and ensuring the safe and secure construction, operation and abandonment of energy projects within federal jurisdiction.
This year, we strengthened our risk-based oversight by focusing compliance and audit activities on higher-risk companies, increasing engagement with repeat violators, and issuing Safety Advisories on emerging issues. Our Indigenous Monitoring activities also continued to expand, with First Nations and Métis Monitors participating in 27 oversight activities.
We advanced regulatory excellence through the launch of the CER Portal, creating a more accessible and efficient single-window platform for participants. Through the Regulatory Optimization Project, we improved clarity, consistency, predictability, and timeliness in our adjudicative processes as well as advanced updates to key regulatory tools and streamlined approaches for lower-risk projects without compromising safety. We are working closely with federal partners to support a more coordinated approach to major project reviews and further improve federal regulatory processes.
We released two major project decisions this year, in addition to the decisions on the many other applications for export permits or licenses, tolling or tariff matters, facility applications, and variety of matters under the jurisdiction of the CER. Advancing Reconciliation remains a priority for the CER and this year, we conducted early and supplemental Crown consultation with 109 Indigenous communities on the two significant project applications referenced above – the Sunrise Expansion Program and the Taylor to Gordondale Pipeline Project.
Providing timely and credible energy information also remains central to our work. This year, we released Canada’s Energy Future 2026, along with reports and market snapshots that help Canadians better understand a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
These achievements reflect the dedication and professionalism of our employees. Looking ahead, we remain focused on delivering on our mandate, strengthening our regulatory framework, further improving our adjudicative and regulatory processes, and continuing to build trust with Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders and Canadians. While the context in which we operate evolves, our regulatory responsibilities remain fundamentally the same as those that were first identified in 1959 when Canada’s energy regulator was created. Guided by our experience and expertise formed over the past several decades, we’ll continue to work hard to ensure that Canada’s regulatory system is future-ready.
With appreciation,
Tracy Sletto
Chief Executive Officer
Canada Energy Regulator
Message from the Indigenous Advisory Committee Chairperson
The Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) was established to advise the Board on how the CER can build a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples.
Since 2020, we have worked to strengthen relationships between the CER and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. The members of the IAC bring diverse lived experiences, cultural knowledge, and leadership grounded in our communities from coast to coast to coast. Together, we continue to support the CER in moving through cultural competency toward adopting approaches rooted in respect, inclusion, and cultural integrity.
This year, the IAC provided advice to the Board of Directors on a number of key issues, particularly the CER’s work to develop a systemic model to enhance First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples’ involvement in compliance and oversight over the lifecycle (design, construction, operation and abandonment) of CER-regulated infrastructure, as well as the ongoing transformational review of the Onshore Pipeline Regulations.
We have also seen the CER continue to strengthen its internal capacity and understanding. Through the Indigenous Cultural Intelligence Framework, we know more staff are engaging in learning and applying that knowledge in their work. The involvement of Elders and Knowledge Keepers, along with increased demand for guidance on First Nations, Inuit and Métis protocols, reflects a growing commitment across the organization to putting this knowledge into practice.
At the same time, we recognize that this work is ongoing. Meaningful change requires time, trust, and a willingness to listen and adapt, as well as courage to explore and learn new spaces collaboratively. There will continue to be challenges, and at times, difficult conversations. These are necessary for growth and for building a regulatory system that truly reflects and respects Indigenous rights and perspectives.
We remain encouraged by the CER’s openness to this work and its commitment to moving forward in partnership with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. Together, we continue on this path—guided by respect, relationships, and a shared responsibility to create lasting, meaningful change.
Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil
Chairperson
Indigenous Advisory Committee
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