Mr. Speaker, concerns have been raised in this House about the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board's environmental assessment process as it applies to the process used by the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to issue timber cutting permits. I would like to take the time now to clarify the process for Members.
The federal Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act was established to implement provisions contained in land claims agreements in the Northwest Territories. The act established the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board to undertake environmental assessments and panel reviews. The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development appoints board members who are nominated by First Nations and territorial and federal governments.
The review board is a public board that recommends ways to protect the environment from impacts that may be caused by a development. The environment includes biophysical, social, economic, traditional use and cultural impacts of the proposed development. The review board can also recommend to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development that a development be rejected because the impacts are too great.
The review board does not tell RWED to issue permits. The review board recommends whether or not the project can proceed and provides recommendations to mitigate any identified adverse environmental effects.
The environmental impact assessment process has three stages. These are the preliminary screening, environmental assessment and environmental impact review. Not all developments go through each of these three stages. Most go through preliminary screening and continue on through the permitting process.
Preliminary screening is done by the department or agency issuing permits such as water licences, land use permits and timber cutting authorities.
The review board does not issue permits or licences itself. Various government departments or the land and water boards issue them. However, if a project is referred to environmental assessment, the review board makes recommendations that may become terms and conditions of those permits or licences as approved by the Minister of DIAND. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause