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However, she noted that appeals couldn’t be filed until after the federal government makes a decision on whether to build the project 90 days from now.

“There is more work to do but today was a good step forward,” she said, adding that she believes construction might resume on the project by the fall of 2019.

It provides specific, achievable conditions under which we must operate to ensure, if approved, the project will protect the marine and terrestrial environment Ian Anderson, CEO, Trans Mountain

Similarly, Trans Mountain president and CEO Ian Anderson called the recommendation “a step forward” in his long quest to build the project and suggested the updated conditions and new recommendations would not impede construction.

“It provides specific and achievable conditions under which we must operate to ensure, if approved, the project will protect the marine and terrestrial environment and communities,” Anderson said in a release.

The next step in the process requires the federal government to consult with affected aboriginal groups on the NEB’s recommendation, and offer accommodations where possible.

It was this step — consultations after the NEB report — that the Appeals Court found lacking previously and Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said the government was committed to getting it right this time.

“We are doing things differently now,” Sohi said, adding that he’s personally met with 50 Indigenous communities, his 8 teams on the ground have met with 85 communities and Ottawa is committed to “adequately fulfilling its duty to consult.”

“We owe to Canadians, our energy sector workers and Indigenous communities that the process works,” he said.