Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to make a couple of quick comments. Obviously, this bill is very important to Hay River. Hay River is the anomaly in the process. Our employees are not GNWT employees and that became a big issue with this bill, and obviously I’d like to commend the Minister and his staff for getting us as much information there so that we give some comfort to those people, I guess. The question is still out there about how it’s going to look when it’s all said and done, but I think the department is committed to that process and committed to communicating with the staff at the...

Clauses 81 to 100.

---Clauses 81 through 100 inclusive approved

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just wondering if the Minister could look into some of the opportunities that we could get some feedback from the general public. Maybe have a third party do a polling of some of the communities where they are not going in for public consultation to get some feedback. You know, whether you support fracking, if you require more information on it, just to get an indication of where the general public sits on those two topics. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Committee, I will open the floor to general comments on Bill 44. Mr. Dolynny.

Clauses 41 to 60.

---Clauses 41 through 60 inclusive approved

I know they can’t go to all the communities, so I am wondering if the department is looking at another step in this process of consultation on hydraulic fracturing.

Is the department looking at any kind of conference or fracking charrette that we can have members who are interested to participate throughout the Northwest Territories come to a common area to have that discussion? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Minister, do you have witnesses to bring into the House?

Then, we’ll consider the clauses. Turn to page 14. Clauses 1 to 20.

---Clauses 1 through 20 inclusive approved

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to speak about hydraulic fracturing, fracking, as it’s called by most people. I’m a member of the Economic Development and Infrastructure committee and we’ve been working to learn more about this over the last two or three years.

Hydraulic fracturing has been approved in the Northwest Territories in the past by the federal government and the National Energy Board. April 1st last year, we took over control of our lands and resources. We are now in control. We need to control how the regulations of this industry and this particular process are being done...

Thank you Minister. Thank you, witnesses. Sergeant-at- Arms, please escort the witnesses out of the Chamber.

Committee has agreed to consider Bill 44, Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act. I will go to the Minister responsible for the bill to introduce, if he has any introductory remarks. Mr. Abernethy.