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Mona Butler
Mona Butler worked at the NEB for 27 years, from 1981 to 2008. In her last position as Regulatory Officer, she coordinated many functions associated with the Board's hearing process, including correspondence, documents, venue set-up, exhibits, hearing conduct, and publication of decisions issued by the Board. Mona recalls her time up North as one of the highlights of her career, as well as the fulfillment she gained from working with her colleagues on the Regulatory team.
What is your most memorable work experience at the NEB?
I would say working on the Mackenzie Gas Project because we travelled extensively in the Northwest Territories and held hearings in many different communities that could be affected by the pipeline. There's a lot more coordination work required in the North because of the remoteness of communities. We went to Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Tulita, Inuvik and so on - the communities along the Mackenzie River.
We also worked with another Board in the North - the Northern Gas Project Secretariat. They met with native groups who were potentially affected by the pipeline and helped us set up venues. The NGPS also helped to coordinate the environmental hearings, which were conducted by a different panel.
What really stood out for me was input from the public who could be affected by the pipeline. They were very interesting people. They would give their opinions in oral statements. We heard statements from native people and their leaders, as well as other members of the community. The environmental concerns and the impact of the project on the community were foremost on people's minds. The hearings provided people an opportunity to express their opinions. Everyone's comments were recorded and will be taken into account when the Board makes its decision.
It was quite moving at times, listening to people express opinions, both for and against the project. They wanted to make sure that we took into account their concerns about the impact of the pipeline on their communities. I'm glad I was part of the process.
What is your fondest memory of the NEB?
Every year we have a karaoke event to raise money for the United Way. We have one noon hour when different groups get up and sing along to a karaoke. I really looked forward to that occasion and I performed with several different groups over the years. The Mackenzie Gas Project team did a take-off on the song "I've been everywhere, man." We modified the lyrics and named all the northern communities we visited. We called it "We've been everywhere." It was a lot of fun.
A few people were very good at rock 'n roll. They were all different, fun to hear. It's nice to see people in a different light other than work. You never know what talent people have. It's amazing.
Of the projects you have worked on, what had the most impact on Canadians?
I was the regulatory officer for the Sumas project application initiated in 2001. The State of Washington had applied to build a power line through Abbotsford, British Columbia, then bring the power back to Washington state. There was a lot of opposition. We had hundreds of people calling, 25,000 letters of comment and over 400 intervenors. We organized several information sessions and coordinated about 1,700 exhibits for the hearing. There was a lot of paper work, and a lot of shipping back and forth.
People expressed a lot of environmental concerns because the power plant was going to be built just across the border in Washington. It would generate more pollution in the Fraser Valley. The project was eventually rejected by the Board.
I would say that decision had a lot of impact on Canadians in southern B.C. Most major projects are eventually approved, with conditions. Sumas was one of the few that was rejected.
Who among your colleagues at the NEB has most influenced you?
Dave Walker and Gord Daw, two of the project officers I worked with quite a bit. They were very easygoing and helpful. I would say all my fellow regulatory officers were also influential and helpful, especially Louise Niro, Jane Morales and Erin Dutcher.
We were a good team who got along well and shared ideas and solutions for problems. You never knew what was going to come up at a hearing. Sometimes we had to think quickly on our feet and brainstorm solutions to unique problems. We had to work within the guidelines of the NEB Act but still balance the public opinion aspect.
In your time at the NEB, has anything significantly affected your career?
I was in Inuvik in 2006 when the Mackenzie Gas Project hearings first opened. At the time, I was very interested in photography. We went to a church in Inuvik called 'Igloo Church.' I took a picture of the church. When I returned home, my husband suggested that I send it to the travel section of the Calgary Sun. I didn't think they would publish it, but they did. I didn't receive any money for it, but it was nice to have my talent recognized.
Since retiring from the NEB, I have launched a second career as a professional photographer. I'm working part-time, doing portraits and other kinds of photos.
Is there anything you would like to say to today's NEB staff?
I'd like to suggest that, if you work with the public, listen carefully to what they say. Even though you may not think that your work is going to make a difference, you never know where it's going to lead. You never know when your next adventure is going to happen. Keep an open mind and follow your dreams.
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