50th Anniversary

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Greetings!

Welcome to the National Energy Board’s 50th Anniversary website.

In 1959, the Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker, opened the Parliamentary Session with a promise to Parliament: “…at the earliest opportunity you will be invited to authorize the establishment of a national energy board to ensure, so far as it lies within the jurisdiction of Parliament, Canada’s energy resources are used effectively and prudently, to the best advantage of Canadians.” By the fall of that year, the NEB had officially opened its doors.

The National Energy Board has been a regulatory leader in this country for nearly five decades. During that time, generations of employees and Board Members have shown an unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, integrity and accountability. I firmly believe it is this commitment which has made the National Energy Board the respected and internationally renowned regulator we are today.

The Board’s purpose is to promote safety and security, environmental protection and efficient energy infrastructure and markets in the Canadian public interest. As a result, the Canadian energy infrastructure has been developing in a way that protects what is important to us: our communities, our environment and our safety. This is a key part of what needs to be done so that all Canadians benefit from a safe, secure and reliable supply of energy that fuels our homes, schools and businesses.

Looking back, I am proud of not only the strides forward the National Energy Board has made in fifty years but also the manner in which these achievements have been accomplished. While the future of energy in this country is not yet written, I am certain that the National Energy Board will continue to be an active, effective and knowledgeable partner in the responsible development of Canada's energy sector for the benefit of Canadians.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, I invite you to visit this website often. We will be posting regular updates and you will have the opportunity to share your own memories about the NEB.

I look forward to celebrating 50 years of regulatory leadership with you.

Kind regards,

Gaétan Caron
Chair and CEO of the National Energy Board