Debates of October 30, 2006 (day 18)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for Mr. McLeod, the Minister of the Environment, related to our regulatory regime for environmental management, Mr. Speaker. As we well know, mega development means mega consequences. Just look at Alberta and its tar sands. I believe they are the single largest contributor to greenhouse gasses in the country. Here in the NWT, we are on the cusp of something of a similar size. The government can do many things when it comes to environmental management. One of them is having a sound process to make sure that everybody plays by the rules, and that is the regulatory regime.

Mr. Speaker, Environment Canada and the National Energy Board have jurisdiction in this area over federal lands but we have a number of other kinds of lands and jurisdictions here in the NWT. When it comes to managing the impacts of a pipeline on these lands, Mr. Speaker, what is the GNWT’s plan for ensuring a comprehensive regulatory framework for the Mackenzie gas pipeline?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 221-15(5): Regulatory Authority For The Enforcement Of Air Quality Standards

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of work that has been done in the area of greenhouse gasses. We have looked at a number of the other issues that are facing us in terms of air quality standards and resource development, pollution and climate change, and looked at some of the documents that have been used as our guide. We have our Greenhouse Gas Strategy that was developed some time ago and recognize that we need to have some update. That is in the works right now. We expect to have that document as part of the Energy Strategy. The greenhouse gasses will be addressed. As to some of the points that the Member has made in terms of the pipeline project, air quality standards is addressed through the JRP and that is the process that is being utilized to do that. In some cases, when industry moves into an area, there is some requirement for baseline assessments to be produced by the proponent. That is handled and done through that process also. So there are a number of different things that are out there. Whether or not we are going to be doing a comprehensive environmental assessment or review, as the Member has indicated in his statement, is something that we haven’t determined yet. We are, however, participating in a summit that will be held in January. It is being hosted by Ecology North and the Dene Nation. We expect that will bring a number of issues to the forefront. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 221-15(5): Regulatory Authority For The Enforcement Of Air Quality Standards

Thank you for the answer, Mr. Speaker. Where I would like to go with this is in getting some assurance that there is adequate jurisdiction on the various kinds of lands in the Northwest Territories -- federal, municipal, Commissioner’s lands, aboriginal lands -- and the regulatory framework that is assigned to each of them. Is there a comprehensive and a cohesive regulatory framework that will enable this project to be properly regulated as it goes through these various types of lands and has various types of impacts, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 221-15(5): Regulatory Authority For The Enforcement Of Air Quality Standards

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we certainly all have to take responsibility when it comes to air quality and environmental issues across the board. At this point, we have shared responsibility with the federal government. We are looking at more than just our lands. We want to ensure that all lands in the NWT are covered. That is my position on where we are going with this. I will continue to monitor the situation. We have regulatory bodies out there that are in charge of ensuring that this happens. We will look to see if there are any areas that are not covered and certainly ensure that we have something in place. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 221-15(5): Regulatory Authority For The Enforcement Of Air Quality Standards

Mr. Speaker, Environment Canada recently pointed out to the Joint Review Panel that there is indeed a regulatory gap for the jurisdiction and the management of the project on these lands. Is the Minister’s department or some agency of the GNWT actively working this file with municipal, aboriginal and federal agencies to close this regulatory gap, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 221-15(5): Regulatory Authority For The Enforcement Of Air Quality Standards

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would have to get back to the Member on whether or not the gaps that he has referenced are being covered and if we are consolidating our efforts to ensure that happens. We are a partner on some of the files that are moving forward in terms of resource development. At this point, I would have to make the commitment that I need to find out more about the issue in order to answer that question.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 221-15(5): Regulatory Authority For The Enforcement Of Air Quality Standards

Mr. Speaker, good regulation means that we have to have good legislation to back it up. Is the Minister aware of anything that this Assembly should be considering to enable the highest possible standard of regulatory monitoring and control of this project, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 221-15(5): Regulatory Authority For The Enforcement Of Air Quality Standards

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would have to take that question as notice. I am not familiar right now. Thank you.