The Canada-Newfoundland & Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) was created in 1986 through the Atlantic Accord for the purposes of regulating the oil and gas industry offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. The Board operates at arms-length from governments and reports to the Federal Minister of Natural Resources and Provincial Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology. The Board also has a reporting relationship to the provincial minister of Digital Government and Service Newfoundland and Labrador regarding offshore occupational health and safety matters. Decisions of the Board, referred to in legislation as ‘Fundamental Decisions,’ are referred to government for approval or rejection. Other Board decisions and actions are final, unless otherwise provided for in the legislation. Pursuant to the legislation, the C-NLOPB has four regulatory mandates: Safety, Environmental Protection, Resource Management and Industrial Benefits.
In 2022, the federal and provincial governments announced their intention to expand the mandate of the C-NLOPB to include the regulation of offshore renewable energy. As the C-NLOPB prepares for these new responsibilities and continue to regulate offshore oil and gas activity, safety of offshore workers, environmental protection and regulating in the public interest remain the C-NLOPB’s core values and continue to be the highest priorities for both C-NLOPB staff and Board Members.
As of March 31, 2023, the C-NLOPB had 102 permanent staff and its budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year is $25,800,000. In approving a budget for submission to Governments, the Board provides for adequate financial resources and appropriate staff to carry out the C-NLOPB’s legislative mandate.
Under the Accord Acts, specific responsibilities of the C-NLOPB include:
The C-NLOPB Board also:
(For additional on the role of the C-NLOPB, please visit http://www.cnlopb.ca/.)
The Board is comprised of seven persons; three appointed by the Federal Government, three appointed by the Provincial Government, and a Chair and CEO that is appointed jointly by the two governments.
Further information may be found here - Joint Management.
Those who make up the C-NLOPB Board should collectively possess the following core competencies:
Individuals appointed to the board are expected to hold the following requisite competencies and experiences:
Members of the C-NLOPB should be available to meet monthly. Any applicable committees of the C-NLOPB normally meet four times per year. Board members are also be expected to spend additional time to review materials and prepare for Board and Committee meetings. Many Board briefings include information containing industry jargon and complex technical information. Some travel to international oil and gas conferences may be expected.
The Chairperson and board members are typically appointed for a six-year term. Board members are eligible for reappointment.
The term of office is detailed in Section 15 of the Act and can be found here.
The C-NLOPB is seeking to fill one provincial vacancy. Expressions of interest are being sought from individuals who possess the experience and qualifications identified in the Board profile. In addition, based on the growing mandate and future direction of the organization, the Board would benefit from applicants who possess the following competencies:
Consideration will also be given to a variety of demographic factors to ensure the Board is representative of the population they serve.
Further information can be found here - Terms and conditions of appointments.