Canadians from coast to coast are deeply worried about protecting waterways and land from pipeline failures and want transparent emergency response plans in place to handle crises as they occur, a new governmental report concludes.

The National Energy Board (NEB)’s National Engagement Tour Report released today also highlighted public concerns over the board’s emergency response readiness. Fire and emergency services in those communities visited by the board stressed the importance of having both comprehensive and integrated training in place and more equipment on hand to combat pipeline spills.

“That confirms what we believe, but the consistency of that message was heard all the way from the Atlantic coast to Victoria and also in the North,” said NEB spokesperson Darin Barter.