Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The amendments we put forward have been as I say, largely suggested by the private sector stakeholders involved that are knowledgeable about the regulatory environment in which they have to operate. As well from our own officials within the government. We have focused on doing proper consultation, receiving suggestions, providing feedback on the suggestions and working through a rather labour intensive process to arrive at the amendments we have put together, in front of you, today.
The most recent suggestions made by the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee representative, were very last minute and they had not previously made any suggestions or responses to the proposed amendments that were circulated earlier in the summer. There were two of them, but we received these last week, and we had our officials working over the weekend to look at them and to weigh the merits of the suggestions that were made. In the final analysis, we think the intent of the amendments, the nature of the amendments that were made and agreed to, through the consultative process, with the stakeholders, have to be respected and adhered to, at this time. Consequently, I have written, responding to the suggestions that were made at that time. So, we would like to proceed with the amendments as we had agreed with the standing committee and leave it at that, at this time.