Louis Sebert

Mr. Speaker, an important element of the Open Government Policy was public engagement. We went around to the communities, and one of the things we did hear was concerns about, when information was provided by the public, how it was dealt with by the government. We wanted to make it clear that there were different types of engagements with the public. There were sessions in which information was merely provided, and others that we were seeking their input and engagement, so that helps us form legislation and policy. Engaging with the public is an important element of what we have been doing...

One of the commitments of this legislature and included in our mandate, of course, which was developed by all of us together, is to establish the office of an ombudsman. We have sent a legislative proposal to standing committee, and we are looking forward to their response.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The road involved, of course, does not only go across territorial lands, but also part of a national park. Now, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada will sign the decision letter for the Prairie Creek road environmental assessment, and we will contribute to the decision process, so it is a combination of us working with them once this is determined. I do share the Member opposite's concern about this. I think we all recognize that there can be downsides to development, but hopefully there is a sufficient regulatory system and security in place to allay...

Yes, I understand that the most recent cost estimates were carried out in 2013, where it was found that the current site liability is $9 million, and I understand that the way that we are looking at this is we are ensuring that the proponent is in compliance with all current security requirements. However, as the project proceeds, there may be a need for more security in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Coroner's Act, be read for the second time. This bill amends the Coroner's Act to allow for the assembly of a jury panel from which an inquest jury may be selected, outline the procedure for selecting jurors from the jury panel, allow persons to be excused from jury service in certain circumstances, allow the Chief Coroner to create rules of procedure for inquests, and improve the clarity and readability of certain provisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 1st, 2017, I will move that Bill 28, Interpretation Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The position on this is multi-faceted. There are many things that we are doing. I mentioned already that we have been having public engagement with respect to open policy. I have referred to the ombudsman legislation, which hopefully will come forth in due course. Also, we are looking at improvements to the ATIP Act. I can advise also that, quite apart from those initiatives, of course, Cabinet has been going out and we have held five open meetings with the public in Norman Wells, Inuvik, Hay River, Fort Simpson, and Yellowknife. Further meetings of this type are being planned. I also, with...

Thank you. I'd be happy to make that commitment.

I certainly concur that privacy would be an issue and a problem and I certainly would be willing to meet with the RCMP to discuss solutions to that problem.

Mr. Speaker, I'd certainly be pleased to meet with the Member opposite on an individual basis. I don't know whether a full briefing is really required at this stage. The Auditor General's report is now more than two years old; 95 per cent of the recommendations have been completed. I would be certainly pleased to meet personally with the Member opposite to discuss those items that are still outstanding. I can advise that even those outstanding have not been neglected in any way. They simply have not been fully completed.