Thank you, Madam Speaker, and honourable Members. ...the federal environmental assessment review
office, FEARO, to establish a panel and conduct public hearings into the initiative of other federal agencies or departments. I am not saying there is anything wrong going on. But appearances are important. As we believe in this House, justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.
This concerns me for another reason, Madam Speaker. In the Northwest Territories, we have not established our own environmental assessment and review process. As it stands, we fall under the federal process. We, in the north, are very aware of and concerned with the environmental impact of development projects. When the time comes, it won't be long now, we will want our voices to be heard when decisions about our future and the future of our land are to be made. We want to be in possession of all the facts, including the opinions of experts. We do not want rules of process or procedures to interfere with our ability to make informed decisions. We do not want what happened to Ms. Brice-Bennett or the unfortunate people of Sanikiluaq to happen here.
Therefore, Madam Speaker, I submit that it is time for all governments, particularly the federal government, to take a long close look at the entire process to ensure it is as effective as possible, as independent as possible and as fair as possible. They are called "public hearings," Madam Speaker, so let the public be heard. Mahsi cho.
---Applause