Hydraulic fracturing continues to gain public attention in the Northwest Territories. It is to our immediate and long-term advantage to develop a responsible, well-informed policy on the use of this technology and ensure that all voices are heard on this important issue. The tour of the Bakken formation increased participants’ awareness of the impacts of shale development, and the need for planning and action. While the Northwest Territories is in a very different position than either North Dakota or Saskatchewan in terms of its level of development, to the degree that lessons learned in the development of the Bakken are accurately shared, they are valuable to future development in the Northwest Territories.
The standing committee would like to embark on further fact-finding and explore areas that were overlooked on its Calgary and Bakken tours, and hear from the public and interested organizations on the use of hydraulic fracturing in our jurisdiction. As leaders and decision-makers, the committee wants to ensure we act in the best interest of the Northwest Territories, our land, our people and our resources.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure on the Bakken shale formation tour.