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“Over the past several years there has been an increase in the volume, complexity and duplication of regulations imposed on the pipeline industry in Canada,” Ernst & Young’s Canadian oil and gas leader Lance Mortlock wrote in the report.

“This regulatory layering, along with other factors, is decreasing Canada’s competitiveness globally,” he said.

CEPA and EY released the study to coincide with CEPA president and CEO Chris Bloomer’s testimony before the a Senate committee in Ottawa on Thursday, where he will make his organization’s case — once again — that a new law needs to be amended or it will risk further hurting pipeline companies in Canada.

The law, called Bill C-69, would re-organize the National Energy Board, establish the Canadian Impact Assessment Agency and overhaul how major resource projects like pipelines are reviewed in the country.

While Bill C-69 proposes to shorten regulatory timelines, critics such as Bloomer say there are too many opportunities for opponents throughout the process to stop the clock.

CEPA and other industry associations want the bill amended and Bloomer said he would make that case again on Thursday.

“Even before we get to Bill C-69 we have a very uncompetitive regulatory system,” Bloomer said in a Wednesday interview, adding delays for new pipeline projects have led to skyrocketing oil by rail numbers that have now exceeded those in the U.S.