Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government has already made a commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories to take the time that we need to ensure that we get this right and that we intend to do just that. There is no oil and gas activity in the Northwest Territories today and we don’t expect to see any for at least the next couple of years. This pause gives us the opportunity to look at the science, to look at best practices from around the world and to design a world-class approach to managing it. Time is on our side and we should use that time to our advantage.
Last week I committed publicly to take the time that is necessary to ensure that Northerners understand this important issue. I remain committed to that and this government remains committed to that. We’ve already initiated a public dialogue on hydraulic fracturing, and it is important for that process to play out so that Northerners can better understand what this is all about and what is at stake. As a government, we want to see that dialogue with Northerners continue so that together we can understand the issue and decide how best to manage it.
Just over a year ago we gained responsibility of our regulatory system through devolution. We took up that responsibility and we told NWT residents that we could serve them well. We said that Northerners would be in charge, that we would be in charge and we are in charge. We promised to maintain the fundamental aspects of the regulatory system that have been established through the land claims and territorial and federal legislation. The system reviews every project multiple times, making sure projects are in the public interest. Land and water boards regulate the use of land and water in our territory. The departments of ITI, Lands and ENR have important roles in the system. Other public agencies are involved in inspections and in management.
That system works. We can trust the system and we can strengthen the system. We can design made-in-the-North rules that benefit the territory and its people. Working to build that system with the people of the North is our primary focus. We’ve already started to do that, and we already know we have the time that we need to get the work done. We need to keep moving forward with our work to build a strong, robust system here in the Northwest Territories.
These are the reasons why the government will not be supporting this motion. Thank you.