Michael Miltenberger

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize two members of the best negotiating team for transboundary water negotiations in the country: the lead negotiator, Merrell-Ann Phare; and one of the best scientists in the country, Dr. Erin Kelly, who works for the Government of the Northwest Territories and just concluded some negotiations with BC today. They are part of the best team, so I’d like to welcome them to the House.

Thank you. We’re back to the position where I do answer the questions and the Member doesn’t like the answer. So if the committee has specific suggestions in terms of regulatory reform that will address the concerns of the Member, then let us see them, and as we move forward with the business planning process and when we look at the time we have left in our legislative agenda, if there are changes that are agreed to, we’d be happy to consider those. Thank you.

Thank you. We have authorities, two in fact, that go out under the consumer affairs bill to look at areas where there are complaints, where there may be concerns. When those are brought forward, they’re dealt with appropriately. Thank you.

Thank you. This government does put people first when you look at the amount of money we spend on social programs, the type of infrastructure we have, the services to people at all levels and ages in our communities. When it comes to protecting them in the marketplace, that’s an area where we’d have to look carefully. Once again, the Member makes strong statements about wanting to know what we’re going to do. I’m not sure if he wants some type of police state. It’s not clear to me. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the fundamental question is what type of government or what kind of society does the Member envision. He’s calling for government regulation quite regularly in all areas of people’s lives and there is some free market characteristics here that we have in our country that are important. There are things we can do with gas, there are things we can do in some areas, but the fundamental question is what type of society is the Member proposing? What level of government regulation does he expect this government to create so we don’t exist in every facet of everybody’s...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to Section 32(1)(2) of the Financial Administration Act, I wish to table the following document, titled “List of Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 for the Period April 1 to December 31, 2013.” Thank you.

No, it hasn’t, and because the position of the government at this point is that what is currently in place is sufficient.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it hasn’t been all done, it will be done. I haven’t got the final costs yet.

The intent is to have a made-in-the-North regulatory regime that brings together the regulatory authorities, both the oil and gas through water and minerals, lands, with ITI, ENR and the Lands department. We intend to be very thorough, very rigorous, and we want to coordinate our efforts. There is going to be responsibilities that require the various regulatory agencies and bodies to respond as regulators. There are going to be some requirements for technical responses. We are going to look very thoroughly at all of those project applications that come in and we will, in fact, provide that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am aware that there are a wide range of views about hydraulic fracturing. I’ve been a recipient of some correspondence through the Council for Canadians, for example, expressing their concern. I do read the newspapers, listen to the news, and talk to people, and yes, I have heard some of those concerns and I believe I do understand them.