Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are intended to try and bring as much transparency as possible to the GNWT’s role in responding to the Joint Review Panel report. My first question is to the lead Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Could he describe the process that the GNWT will use to respond to the Joint Review Panel report and recommendations? Mahsi.
Minister Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The process is underway. It was underway prior to the release of the report when we were certain that it was coming. We have staff with ENR in the lead from across departments. We’re working with the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline office in Hay River and we’re working through committee systems with deputies to pull together the response and the work on the responses for the JRP with a goal to hitting the timelines so we can make sure there’s no further delays that we can get our responses in to the National Energy Board.
I think the public certainly would appreciate more details on how the GNWT intends to proceed on this so that they can have their participation and input and at least be aware of what’s going on. Does the GNWT intend to invoke the consult to modify process with the Joint Review Panel regarding the modification or rejection of any recommendations? You know, the public would like to know if that’s happening. If we intend to modify, will we be using that mechanism? Thank you.
We will be taking all the appropriate steps using all the appropriate mechanisms that are determined to be necessary to possibly be invoked as we look at the recommendations one by one. I have not seen the work to date. I know that the officials are at it. We know that we have some tight timelines and we know we want it to be clear, comprehensive and be able to stand scrutiny and be shown to have followed due process. Thank you.
I would appreciate it if the Minister would find out whether we are intending to invoke the consult to modify process and if we do, will the Minister commit to making such proposed changes public at the time that they may be transmitted to the Joint Review Panel so that our public can participate meaningfully in the review process? Thank you.
We have committed to work with committee to brief them when we have sufficient work done and we have our communication plan that involves the release of the work going forward and we will be, at the appropriate times, making sure the public is aware of the work that we have done. Thank you.
Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not asking about committees here; I’m asking for transparency to the public. There is the potential for this consult to modify process to be completely in confidence and thus remove the ability of the public to participate meaningfully. So I’m asking for a commitment from the Minister to ensure that if they are submitting to the Joint Review Panel in this consult to modify process, that those documents be put on the public registry with all the other documents that have had to be put on the public registry to date so that the public can be informed. Mahsi.
I have seen nothing, nor am I aware currently of any plan to do any of this work, consult to modify or any other work required in secret. We know that we have to be accountable and we will definitely be keeping the issue of making sure the public are fully informed in mind as we go forward. Thank you.
The Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
