Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The National Energy Board has released today its Arctic review report as well as a National Energy Board filing requirements for offshore drilling in the Canadian Arctic.
I understand with this National Energy Board release, this could fundamentally affect the future requirements for applications to drill and Canadian Arctic offshore developments. My question is for the Minister of ITI. I know this release has just been a couple hours old. Is there any initial response from this government? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, we’re confident with the work that the National Energy Board has been doing and we support the work that they continue to do. The key thing for us is that Northerners want to provide input into decision-making about future offshore drilling and they also want to be prepared in developing plans for future drilling projects. I think those are some things that we can take away from it. We’re pleased with the extensive engagement, as well, that Northerners had with the NEB to produce the Arctic review that was released earlier today. Thank you.
Thanks for the Minister’s initial response. Even in its early stages we are hearing from certain groups saying they weren’t consulted during this Arctic review process. Can I ask the Minister of ITI why that was so? Thank you.
The objective of the Arctic review was to gather information and knowledge through meaningful engagement and dialogue. The NEB did extensive consultation across the three northern territories, including more than 40 meetings in 11 communities, again, across all three territories. The review concluded with a week-long roundtable held in Inuvik during this past September so participants could engage in face-to-face dialogue on offshore drilling. Nearly 200 people attended the meetings that were held in Inuvik. Another 300 people logged onto the session via computer to listen to the live Web broadcast that was played. That was also translated into Inuvialuktun, Inuktitut, Gwich’in and French.
We’re pleased with the extensive engagement with Northerners that took place to produce the Arctic review and are confident that everyone had an opportunity to participate in that review.
Thank you to the Minister for going into detail. Fundamentally, we would never want this to happen, but should we have an oil spill in the Arctic offshore similar to what we’ve experienced and seen that affected the world with the Gulf of Mexico, what does this review today mean to this government and to the people of the Northwest Territories?
Mr. Speaker, the prevention of an oil spill in the Canadian Arctic offshore is the primary goal. We’ve got to prevent that from happening. Again, we’re confident with the NEB’s response, that the regulatory regime has the tools needed to protect the safety of northern residents, workers and the environment.
In their application, applicants must submit a contingency plan that outlines what measures they will use to respond to an out-of-control well. A relief well is one contingency measure. Obviously, projects that are occurring in the Beaufort Sea would operate in significantly isolated and under different conditions compared to those in the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mrs. Groenewegen.
