Mr. Speaker, anytime the government is asked to issue permits or licences, it has to do so within existing guidelines, regulations, legislation. We cannot just arbitrarily say yes or no. I have to work with the legislation, regulations, guidelines and policies that exist.
If I did not do that and just arbitrarily said yes or no to permits, then I think I would be opening up our government to being sued by individuals and companies who feel they have a legitimate right to apply for and receive an application.
I have to work with what is there already. I cannot make assumptions about what might be in the future or what political consideration might have to be taken into account. Thank you.