Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a recently new process that is not completely understood. It is a source of great research at the international, national and even in our level as we seek to understand the use of hydraulic fracking for unconventional oils, in particular shale gas.
There is work being done at the federal level. We are striking a committee between ENR and ITI and other relevant deputies and departments to look at this issue and to address some of the issues that the Member talked about to try to get a good handle on the research. Some provinces’ fracking for unconventional sources are in use in B.C. and Alberta, Quebec and Nova Scotia, and some others have put a moratorium on it. Some states, as well, are taking a second look at it.
It is an issue, a process that there are a lot of unknowns, lots of potential impacts, use of a lot of substances in an area deep underground and is not well understood. We are going to take the steps necessary to understand this and make sure any steps taken have that balance of protecting the environment as we look at what is possible from this economic development opportunity. Thank you.