The OPI has been given “intervenor status” in the Tribute Resources Inc. Appeal to the Ontario Divisional Court of a decision of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on its pipeline municipal taxes.

Tribute had taken issue with the assessment of its pipelines by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Under the Ontario Assessment Act disputes related to pipelines are decided by the OEB. Tribute argued in its application to the OEB that its pipelines are not gas transmission pipelines used for distribution purposes. The OEB upheld the MPAC assessment.

In granting the intervention the Divisional Court determined that the OPI had an interest in and would bring a wider context to the matter and the OPI members could be adversely affected by the decision. The appeal is expected to be heard in late November of 2017.