Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address how the government is applying our important central principle of transparency and public engagement to an issue that is concerning to many residents of the territory. That is hydraulic fracturing. Mr. Speaker, this Assembly has committed to transparency in public engagement and, to that end, we are also committed to make sure that residents have a voice in assessing the risks and benefits of resource development including hydraulic fracturing. Fracking is a tough call. We know that my colleague from the Sahtu, among others, cares about the potential jobs and economic growth that development might create in his region and possibly using fracking. We know that diversifying and growing the economy is not a quick process. It is important to hang on to economies that work. We know that opportunities for growth and job creation are hard to come by especially in the smaller communities.
On the other hand, we know that my colleague from Frame Lake, among others, feels that the environmental risks of fracking are very serious and so should we even take the chance? We know that fracking is linked to increased seismic activity but we don't know how much. We know there can be impacts on water quality, but we don't know how much. We know that starting this month, the provincial regulator in BC is stepping up its monitoring of seismic activity because of small earthquakes caused by fracturing. We also know that there is no current industry interest in oil and gas exploration in the NWT, but that is not a reason to drop the fracking subject. We should have the discussion now, while we are not under industry and public pressure to do so. The opposing views about fracking and other resource development are precisely the reason that an open and transparent public debate is important and the slowdown in oil and gas makes now the time to do it, Mr. Speaker. Residents of the Northwest Territories need to know that the government wants to hear their views. They need to trust there will be an open and constructive public discussion on this issue and they need to be reassured that this government's commitment to openness and transparency will be upheld. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
