Chris Loewen
Executive Vice President, Canadian Energy Regulator (CER)·6 communications in the past year
Lobbied by
Pembina Pipeline
5Discussions surrounding the development of additional crude oil pipeline egress on B.C.'s West Coast Pan-Canadian energy strategy – discussions regarding the development of a national energy strategy, Canadas role in the North American and global energy markets, US-Canada energy and trade relations and other trade related issues, including tariffs Discussions regarding the implementation of grants and investment tax credits for energy transition projects, such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Discussions and updates related to Pembinas export projects in BC West Coast, such as the Prince Rupert propane export terminal, Vancouver wharves, and Cedar liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminal. Clean Fuel Regulations – discussions and input related to the implementation of the Clean Fuel Regulations and compliance pathways. Discussions around enabling policy and incentives for data centres and accompanying power generation Regulatory efficiency – discussions regarding the governments approach towards streamlining regulatory process as they related to large energy infrastructure projects and pipelines. Market access and competitiveness - discussion regarding the governments approach to opening new markets for Canadian oil and gas resources and related products to ensure full market value for Canadian hydrocarbons and other projects as yet in the proposal stage. Discussions related to the implementation of federal environmental assessment and environmental protection legislation. Discussions regarding the competitiveness of Canadas energy sector, particularly related to pipelines and midstream energy issues, including environmental protection and safety, Indigenous engagement, federal procurement decisions, and sector investment. Climate change policies with respect to considerations for greenhouse gas reduction targets, cap and trade and carbon pricing provisions.
Business Council of Alberta
1Enhancing global market access for Alberta exports by expanding pipeline access to tidewater, including through the removal of the Tanker Ban, investing in trade-related transportation infrastructure, and addressing internal trade barriers. Supporting the federal government's defence and economic security priorities by exploring opportunities for Alberta to strengthen Canada's defence industrial base, attract investment, and contribute to resilient supply chains and strategic infrastructure. Exploring opportunities to support the federal government's One Canadian Economy agenda through greater economic integration, reduced interprovincial trade barriers, and strengthened collaboration on nation-building projects. Supporting a strong Alberta within a united Canada by exploring policies that address fairness in the federation, strengthen Albertas economic contribution, and improve federal-provincial collaboration on shared priorities. Exploring strategies to support economic growth in Alberta and Canada while ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability and broad-based prosperity. Providing an update on the Business Council of Albertas priorities, including productivity, competitiveness, labour shortages, infrastructure, and housing, and identifying opportunities to collaborate with the federal government on advancing shared policy goals. Attracting investment to Alberta and Canada by exploring ways to address regulatory barriers to business investment and create a competitive business landscape. Proposing amendments to the new greenwashing provisions which, as written, will undermine Canadian businesses ability to raise capital, take risks, innovate, and make good-faith environmental progress in uncertain conditions. The federal government should respect the CRTCs Fibre to the Premise decision, which supports a more competitive telecommunications sector and reinforces regulatory autonomy, a principle that is key to investor confidence and a dynamic business environment across all sectors of the Canadian economy. Federal natural resources and environment policy. Unlocking investment and growth in Canada's natural resource industries, and how they can contribute to Canada's productivity, prosperity, and environmental goals. Discriminatory and/or counterproductive impacts on Alberta and Alberta-concentrated industries. Maintaining access to US markets in the face of tariff threats and CUSMA renewal. Discussing how issues related to defence spending, border crossings and illegal drug/gun trafficking impact trade and trade policy. Preserving and enhancing Canadas access to trade opportunities in global markets; addressing trade disputes, including the differing impact of those disputes across Canada. Exploring opportunities to increase economic activity and value-added processing in agriculture; and discussing the removal of barriers to achieving that goal. Expressing our opposition to the proposed emissions cap as being bad for the environment, the economy, the federation, and Canadas international standing. Improving Canada's system of major project approvals and permitting to allow projects to get built faster, generate economic growth and advance Indigenous Economic Diversification. Issues range from speeding up environmental impact assessments, to removing fed/prov duplication, to better coordinating permitting processes across the federal government. Removing barriers to interprovincial trade. Providing information via our "Alberta Update" to senior government officials on economic developments in the province. Exploring ways to improve co-operation and collaboration between the federal and provincial governments. The merits and drawbacks of the federal government's proposed oil and gas sector emissions cap; and the most efficient, cost-effective ways to promote a competitive energy sector in Alberta while working towards deep emissions cuts. Proposing amendments to the Clean Electricity Regulations that reflect the concerns
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
1GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Reform Canadas procurement system to support investment and ensure a competitive business environment. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - Ensuring fair and open procurement practices to drive innovation and technology adoption in Canada. HOUSING - Advocate for policies and legislation that enable the creation of more housing supply, incentivize investment in residential construction and housing – enabling infrastructure, and support the development of skilled labour we need, whether domestically or through immigration, to restore housing affordability to Canadian families. TAXATION AND FINANCE – With regard to the measurement and improvement of Canadas tax competitiveness, including: reforming the taxation, remittance, filing and audit processes of Canadian businesses and tax policy which improves the competitiveness of the Canadian business environment INTERNATIONAL TRADE – With respect to issues relating to trade controls, including tariffs, import and export controls, sanctions, and trade remedies. INDUSTRY - Improving the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit program to drive innovation; increase the role that the federal government plays in creating opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to digitalize and conduct more business activities online; developing a digital economy strategy for Canada. HEALTH – Ensuring we improve access to necessary medicines by building on rather than displacing the important role of private insurers and respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction. CYBER SECURITY - Encouraging the government to prioritize cybersecurity innovation, talent development, and critical infrastructure resilience; modernize research and development; accelerate commercialization in the space; support the secure digitalization of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and improve the global competitiveness of Canadas cybersecurity industry. IMMIGRATION - Reducing regulatory burdens for employers; promoting immigration to small, rural and northern communities; supporting regional and local community immigration strategies; maintaining and modernizing the Temporary Foreign Worker Program; Facilitating pathways to permanent residency for temporary residents (international students and TFWs; expediting and simplifying foreign credential recognition, calling for an international student and global talent strategy; improving language training as well as settlement and employment supports to newcomers, aligning immigration programs with labour market needs, improving the Start-Up Visa process, improving client services to potential immigrants and newcomers. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING – National Workforce Strategy, programs that support small and medium sized enterprises, improving collection and dissemination of Labour Market Information, establishing the Employment Insurance Council to institutionalize social dialogue between workers and employers on issues related to employment and training needs, addressing barriers to labour mobility, improving effectiveness of employment supports and skills training. EDUCATION - Aligning employer and workforce needs with education and training; expanding skilling, upskilling, reskilling and work integrated learning opportunities. INFRASTRUCTURE – Improvement of Canadas infrastructure through the National Infrastructure Assessment, National Supply Chains Strategy, and establishment of a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan. TRANSPORTATION - Regarding the consistent funding of trade-enabling infrastructure projects; the development of a competitive and efficient transportation network including all modes of transportation; the fluidity and stability of supply chain operations, minimizing disruptions. LABOUR - Ensuring that any changes to the Canada Labour Code are implemented in response to defined and demonstrated issues and not to increase regulatory burdens for employers; minimizing labour disruption impacts on Canadian bus
Canadian Natural Resources
1Discussions related to tariff remissions subject to trade control, surtax, or tariff rate quota regimes. Fisheries Act and related regulations with respect to regulatory approaches in implementation and assurance requirements. Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation and discussions around transportation as it relates to the oil and gas industry Sustainable Finance and Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) considerations for investment decisions. Support for the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) to advance research to build upon existing expertise in the development of clean and affordable energy. Species at Risk Act with regard to conservation initiatives to protect species and their habitats Impact Assessment Act as it relates to approvals and impact assessments for major oil and gas projects. Duty to consult Indigenous communities as it relates to oil and gas projects, including implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Discussions on climate change regulations and policies that may be directed at oil sands, refining, and gas processing. This includes methane, Clean Fuels Standard and net zero. Canadian policy support related to international market access for oil and gas. Canadian Environmental Protection Act with respect to the regulatory framework for greenhouse gas emissions and criteria for air contaminants and air pollutant regulations Canadian Energy Regulator as it relates to regulatory oversight of upstream interprovincial pipelines. Allow immediate deductibility of capital costs for tax purposes in the year in which they occur, to be applied broadly across the economy in a manner that aligns with similar tax reforms in the US.
Enbridge
1Discussions regarding the safe and reliable operation of Enbridges liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, and utilities and power assets. Discussions regarding projects, expansions, optimizations, and changes to tolling arrangements relating to Enbridges liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, and utilities and power assets. Discussions regarding policy developments on Indigenous engagement, consultation and economic inclusion. Discussions regarding market access for energy products, maintaining the integrated North American energy market, Canada-U.S. trade and cross-border issues and Canadian energy exports to other jurisdictions. Discussions regarding climate policies and initiatives, including the federal carbon charge, the Clean Fuel Standard, methane regulations, and the output-based pricing system, as well as policy supports for innovations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including Renewable Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, CCUS, hydrogen and power-to-gas). Discussions regarding Canadian competitiveness, including on regulatory efficiency, as it pertains to environmental assessments and climate policies and taxation. Discussions and feedback regarding regulatory efficiency, including environmental assessments, the federal carbon charge, the Clean Fuel Standard, methane regulations, Clean Electricity Regulations, and the output-based pricing system.
Energy Connections Canada
1ECC has engaged with the Canada Energy Regulator to discuss ways to improve the efficiency of the CER's audit process. ECC has participated in Natural Resources Canada's consultation on the Indigenous Ministerial Amendments Regulation, which closed on March 31, 2026. ECC is seeking to ensure the IMARs are aligned with the Government of Canada's commitment to move from delay to delivery and to ensure one project/one review for pipelines in Canada. Given the emergent national discussion associated with the need to build Canadian energy infrastructure in response to U.S. tariffs and political instability, ECC is developing its recommendations to rebuild investor confidence in Canada's pipeline industry. Canada Energy Regulator Onshore Pipeline Regulation consultation, with respect to potential changes to that regulation as they impact federally regulated pipeline owners. Issue-specific consultations are to commence in 2024.