Wally Schumann

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's not clear what circumstances under the Oil and Gas Operations Act would require a mandatory public hearing. As a result, we need to maintain some flexibility here. We believe the best approach is to allow the regulator to develop a list of principles that the regulator will apply on a case-by-case basis to decide whether to conduct a public hearing. Should these bills pass, my understanding is that the regulator will be publishing guidelines and interpretation notes to provide additional guidance on the application and administration of its power to conduct public...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Our approach to this bill, as I said in the opening comments, was administrative in nature and improving transparency in the bill, as well. When we did public engagement, this was not an issue that was brought up, so it was not brought forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I am pleased to introduce Bill 37, An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act. The purpose of this bill is to address critical first-step changes to the Oil and Gas Operations Act. Its aim is to enhance transparency and public accountability and address administrative and technical issues with the current legislation.

To enhance transparency and public accountability, this bill proposes extended authorities and requirements for both the Minister and the regulator related to oil and gas activities in the Northwest Territories.

For the regulator, the bill would allow them to...

As I have said in the House, we work very closely with the Tu Cho Co-operative fishermen. We continually meet with them on a regular basis as the plant has moved forward. As all the Members know in this House, the plant is out for tender right now as we speak. We have already bought some of the equipment for this thing. Minister Moses announced a number of funding projects yesterday, and one of them is actually for the lift station to support this plant in Hay River, and we will continue to work with the Tu Cho fishery going forward. We are supporting them and will be assisting them with the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I do not believe the relationship with the Tu Cho fishermen are strained. Just because there was an article on CBC and an interview based on what an individual has said in the Northwest Territories, I would not say it is strained. I have talked to most of the fishermen since that article came out, and there is some real concern about what is being put out there by the press and our relationship with ITI and our staff. In particular, I don't appreciate this individual trying to single out our staff in Hay River who are doing a great job on this. He reaches out to the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's either by consent or drilling order. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 40, Smoking Control and Reduction Act, be read for the third time; and, Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Same thing. We will get that information while we are sitting, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we will certainly make that commitment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my left, I have Menzie McEachern, director of mineral and petroleum resources. On my immediate right, I have Joel Marion, senior legislation advisor. On my far right, I have Christina Brownlee, lead drafter. Thank you, Mr. Chair.