Merci, Monsieur le President. Yesterday I tabled a report and legallybinding order from our Information and Privacy Commissioner on the summaries of the secret meetings held between GNWT and the Chamber of Mines. It proves regulatory capture is alive and well in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. If you don't believe me, read the Commissioner's reports. These were secret meetings with summaries that the department then tried to heavily redact to keep much of the content secret.
There's nothing wrong with GNWT officials meeting with the mining industry. In fact, I have encouraged this practice. However, when information is kept secret and shared only with selected groups, that is simply wrong.
Here's what the Information and Privacy Commissioner said: "The department seems to say that it is appropriate to share policies with select members of the public before the policies are known to the general public. The rationale offered so industry can "prepare" does not appear to appreciate the dangers inherent in giving private individuals or organizations privileged early notice of government policy before it is made public. It is concerning to see that the department redacted not just the information about a policy decision but also redacted the admonition to the working group members not to discuss it until it was announced publicly. This is the sort of behaviour that could lead to the perception of regulatory capture."
This is a recurring pattern with this department. Discussions about COVID recovery quickly evolved into a highlevel lobbying campaign to fundamentally change the way the mining industry is regulated. More than 25 secret meetings were also held on the new mining regulations with the mining industry. The Minister refused to make ITI presentations at those secret meetings public. As part of the socalled targeted engagement on the mining regulations, 21 surveys on mining administration and policy were only open to those with prospecting licenses. The public should not have to buy a prospecting license to participate in the development of the mining regulations, Mr. Speaker.
Regulatory capture is rampant in this department. The interests of the mining industry have replaced the public interest. The culture of secrecy within the department must stop and that clearly requires direction from the Minister. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
