Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are just taking our first steps in a new regime in which a Minister responsible for non-renewable resources is also the regulator of these developments. This structure is quite common across Canada, but this is now a new reality for the Northwest Territories consensus-style of government.
I believe many Members of this House are still a bit perplexed on how we will plan to collaborate as a Caucus in our roles in consensus government with senior bureaucrats and other key stakeholders to establish a balanced and reasonably sustainable approach to project development in the Northwest Territories.
Therefore, today I wish to provide a homework list of my top eight questions for the Minister and department to work on during our down time this summer. At times the regulator is privy to information that would not be in the public’s best interest to disclose or debate, such as a company’s net profit projects, so how will situations like these be dealt with in response?
How can we ensure that information disclosure will respect the public’s best interest and not place any corporation, agency or other organization at a significant advantage or disadvantage?
How will corporate involvement and development of government programs and strategies, such as the Mineral Development and Economic Opportunities strategies, continue under this new regime?
How can we ensure that all residents of the Northwest Territories will have the opportunity to be represented in the Legislative Assembly’s decision-making process?
Will the Legislative Assembly be able to convene a joint committee on matters related to oil and gas operations similar to the Yukon’s current all-party committee on hydraulic fracturing?
Will Regular Members and committee staff still be able to participate in fact-finding missions, representations or other reviews of oil and gas development and technology?
How will decisions be reached in situations where the views of departmental advisors differ widely from the oil and gas committee or the Members of the Legislative Assembly?
Finally, Mr. Speaker, outside their review process, are other Cabinet members allowed to make their opinions known to the regulator?
Clearly, my concern today is how consensus-style government will withstand the rigour and complexity with that of devolution authority and regulatory control. The Cabinet and Premier are now tasked to ensure transparency and accountability and I look forward to hearing responses to my concerns the next time we gather.
Until then, to all my colleagues, residents of the Northwest Territories and to you, Mr. Speaker, I wish everyone a very safe summer. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nadli.
