Northern Pipeline Projects Ltd. (NPPL) was incorporated in Alberta in 2001 by the founding and current shareholders: the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC); the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA); the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE); the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA); and Teamsters Canada (Teamsters). The corporations Board of Directors work on a consensus approach in achieving its goals.

NPPL was created with attention to Canada’s North where pipeline construction will have a significant impact on local economies and be an area of intense activity for its shareholders. Northern Pipeline Projects Ltd. particularly strives to have its shareholders build all of Canada’s northern mainline pipelines in harmony with local people and their interests.

From its beginnings, NPPL has been proactive with a recognition that a new approach would be helpful in positioning its shareholders in Canada’s north where there was an anticipation of extensive opportunities and a population with minimal if any experience with pipeline construction. NPPL has and continues to work with northern decision makers to identify the jobs and business opportunities that will result once there has been a commitment to build mainline pipelines in the Northwest Territories and Yukon Territories. It also makes available its shareholders' expertise in regard to training programs so that northern people have every chance to maximize their involvement in the pipeline construction process.