Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. It is clear that the people of the Northwest Territories have a lot to say when it comes to fracking,

especially horizontal fracturing. That was true at the public engagement session on the proposed regulations in Fort Simpson and it continues to be true today. The people of my riding are eager for education, understanding and consultation. They have questions about safety, health, water security and fracking itself. I also know that the Dehcho First Nations and the Liidlii Kue First Nations have passed resolutions against fracking in their traditional lands. I support both the Dehcho and the Liidlii Kue in their resolutions, which I will table in the House later today.

Many of the monitoring and research programs that the government describes deal with the Sahtu region. I don’t doubt that these programs are important, but potential effects may also be felt outside that region. Fracking is already being done in northern BC and the Liard Basin, and our portion is being studied as well. But what about baseline data and monitoring there?

At the Fort Simpson session, I was concerned about the time given to people to understand and respond to our technical regulations. Today I am pleased that the government has extended the public engagement period by 60 days, to the end of August, but I must be clear, the government must be seen to be doing more to engage the people.

I also have questions about how the regulations deal with baseline studying and monitoring. It seems that industry will be responsible for much of this work. Is self-monitoring in such a competitive industry a wise approach? Will there be some kind of oversight? We must be prepared to enforce our own rules. Because the two sessions in my riding, one in Fort Liard and one in Nahanni Butte, were rescheduled – they’ll happen next week on the 9th and 10th of June – I encourage all of my

constituents to share their views. As the public engagement process continues, I’ll continue to be a full participant as a Member of this Legislative Assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.