We are excited to welcome Jamie Kereliuk to the BC 1 Call Board of Directors! Jamie is Trans Mountain’s board nominee, replacing Mike Davies, who we thank for his significant contributions to our growth and governance over recent years.
Damage prevention has been an area of interest for Jamie and he brings to the board diverse, highly applicable experience and expertise, particularly within the sphere of health and safety. His skills are a great complement to those of the other directors.
Let’s get to know more about Jamie, learn what it takes to achieve success in highly regulated environments and what he’d like to focus on in the new year!
A bit about Jamie
Jamie understands regulation and safety goals and frameworks from both perspectives: regulator and regulated. He has been with Trans Mountain for seven years, and is currently their Director of Environment, Health and Safety. Jamie has served on the board of the Western Canadian Spill Services (WCSS), including two years as chair.
Prior to joining Trans Mountain, he spent 13.5 years with the Canada Energy Regulator (CER), formerly the National Energy Board (NEB), where he held various regulatory positions working in operations, Indigenous relations and regulatory applications.
Jamie’s experience operating within the regulatory frameworks of both CER and the BC Oil and Gas Commission, which mandates BC 1 Call membership of all pipeline permit holders in the province, will be invaluable.
When asked about the key to success in highly regulated environments, he shared that “you have to use good judgement, follow best practices and work within the rules to be successful. Being heavily regulated is not for the faint of heart.”
BC 1 Call and Trans Mountain
Protecting underground assets is paramount to Trans Mountain and while damage prevention has always been part of the company’s strategy, its approach has evolved and become more sophisticated.
Jamie explained that the Trans Mountain Expansion Project necessitates a significant amount of excavation work and that the company requires all employees and contractors breaking ground to click or call before they dig. Jamie said, “it’s always good to be extra careful you avoid damaging critical infrastructure, and there is a lot of it buried in B.C., so this requirement is a way to make sure nothing gets damaged and that nobody gets hurt.”
Fun fact: Trans Mountain has had zero strikes to its underground infrastructure so far this year.
“BC 1 Call is the call to action and the notifications help folks work around the pipeline in a safe manner along with regulatory requirements,” said Jamie.
Strategically planning ahead
When asked what would be worthwhile for BC 1 Call to explore (especially through his regulatory lense) as we approach 2022, Jamie highlighted the importance of relationships with municipalities. “They do a lot of road work and construction, so we want to make sure that is happening safely”
He stressed the need for BC 1 Call to both add value to its members and be as efficient as possible.
Jamie would also like to see BC 1 Call continue to raise awareness and grow its membership. “Awareness and ease of use of BC 1 Call are key,” said Jamie. “The good news is we are sitting in a better position today with damage prevention,” due to improvements made by BC 1 Call’s communications, marketing and service enhancement initiatives.
