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The OFC continued engagement with Canadian authorities on key issues regarding the construction of a natural gas pipeline when leaders met in June to discuss workforce development on both sides of the border as well as to map out critical permitting timelines.

Federal Coordinator Drue Pearce and Deputy Federal Coordinator Tom Barrett met in early June with Michael Wilson, Canadian Ambassador to the United States to explore the issues critical to both nations' pipeline systems, and later that month with the heads of agencies including natural resources, project management, environmental assessment and the northern pipeline agency on myriad issues.

In July, Director of Permitting , Scheduling and Compliance, William Doyle, met in Ottawa with the director s of two Canadian agencies to discuss Canada's regulatory process under the Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) and the Northern Pipeline Agency (NPA). Denali's application will be handled by the MPMO, while TransCanda's will be handled by the NPA. In September, OFC staff will meet in Calgary with Canadian officials and TransCanada on the First Phase Consolidated Implementation Plan.

Timely, open communications between the U.S. and Canada are essential in addressing key issues such as how the Alaska pipeline will dovetail and enhance smaller pipeline projects in Canada, including the Mackenzie natural gas pipeline in the Northwest Territories, permitting and timeline issues and the development of infrastructure and employment on both sides of the border.