Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Lands was established to ensure this government is fulfilling its new obligations and responsibilities for managing public lands in the Northwest Territories. We are responsible for implementing the Land Use and Sustainability Framework and coordinating GNWT participation in project assessments.
For fracturing projects, Cabinet has identified fracturing applications as warranting a coordinated government-wide approach at the beginning of the regulatory process. The Department of Lands project assessment branch coordinates technical advice to boards for preliminary screening on hydraulic fracturing applications. The GNWT has the authority to refer applications to environmental assessment. Cabinet has decided to make referral decisions collectively. As the Minister of Lands, I would participate in any such decision.
During environmental assessments, the project assessment branch of Lands coordinates technical advice to the review board. For most projects on non-federal land, the Minister of Lands has the delegated authority to sign the final EA decision after securing consensus from all territorial and federal colleagues who are responsible Ministers for the project. The Department of Lands staff issue tenure instruments such as leases and licences of occupation, conduct compliance and enforcement activities and inspections for land use permits and tenure instruments and hold securities for land-related instruments.
The Lands department is committed to a balanced, responsible development of the NWT’s natural resources according to northern priorities and values. I look forward to playing my part in developing decisions and ensuring that the North’s environment is protected and that our people benefit from responsible development.