All future hearings into Energy East pipeline suspended

A demonstrator is taken away after disrupting the National Energy Board public hearing into the proposed $15.7-billion Energy East pipeline project proposed by TransCanada Monday, August 29, 2016 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

The National Energy Board is suspending future hearings into the Energy East pipeline project.

The federal regulatory body says the safety of participants can’t be guaranteed after protesters forced the cancellation of sessions scheduled in Montreal for Monday and today.

There won’t be any further hearings into TransCanada’s pipeline project until the board makes a decision regarding two of the three commissioners overseeing the review process.

Motions have been filed asking for the two members to resign after it was revealed they had a meeting with former Quebec premier Jean Charest who was at the time a paid lobbyist for TransCanada (TSX:TRP).

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre walked out of the hearings on Monday after protesters stormed the room and he suggested strongly the NEB review process had the perception of bias.

The hearings were set for this week in Montreal before moving to Quebec City the week of Oct. 3.

More to come…