Landowners & Contractors
Download the Landowners & Contractors fact sheet.
Similar to other utilities like electricity, telephone, internet and TV cables, water and sewer connections, our pipelines are under the ground. Unfortunately, unauthorized construction and digging are leading causes of damage to pipelines and other utilities.
In order to keep you and your family safe, we need your help. It starts by ensuring the right-of-way (the area around the pipeline) remains clear of materials and debris, and that you always receive approval before working in the area. Never assume the depth of a pipeline.
For your safety, the safety of your community and the environment, click or call for approval before you dig to make sure your contractor secures an accurate location of the pipeline and other utilities.
IT’S THE LAW TO SECURE APPROVAL BEFORE:
- Installing underground utility cabling or piping
- Putting up a fence, poles or posts
- Building above or in-ground swimming pools
- Installing drainage or irrigation systems
- Landscaping activities that exceed a digging depth of more than 30 cm, including planting or removing trees, stumps or shrubs
- Paving, blasting or digging
Whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring a contractor, ensure it is safe to dig. Get a FREE locate – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to confirm the location of our pipeline and other utilities before you dig.
These services will contact us on your behalf and we will contact you or your contractor to provide the location of the pipeline and discuss your project. You must wait until you have heard from us and from other utilities in the area before beginning your work.
DOES YOUR WORK ALSO INVOLVE THE USE OF HEAVY MACHINERY NEAR THE PIPELINE?
If so, contact us at [email protected], in Ontario and Quebec, or [email protected], in Alberta, to secure a crossing request form so we can ensure that you won’t cause damage to the underground pipeline when driving heavy machinery on a public road near the pipeline or across the right of way. Trans-Northern will help you through the permitting process so that your project can proceed safely and efficiently.
When you contact us, we will:
- Verify the location of the pipeline1
- Discuss permit requirements
- Issue consent or explain why consent cannot be issue, and visit the site to mark the pipeline and right of way limits so everyone knows where the pipeline is located2
- Send an inspector, if needed
While safety is our #1 priority, calling before you dig will ensure you and your project are not responsible for any fines resulting from non-compliance.
About TNPI
We operate 850 km of Canada Energy Regulator (CER)-regulated pipeline in Ontario and Quebec, while the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) regulates our 350 km pipeline in Alberta. Our highest priority is to operate in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
About the CER/AER
For more information regarding the regulator and the regulations to protect the pipeline, please visit:
https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/sftnvrnmnt/dmgprvntn/dmgprvntnrgndtknw/index-eng.html
https://aer.ca/documents/reports/SafeExcavationNearPipelines.pdf
1 Verification varies by region and will occur within 2 business days in Alberta, 3 in Quebec, and 5 in Ontario.
2 Timelines for issuing consent vary by region, and will occur within 10 business days in Ontario & Quebec, and 21 days in Alberta.