WHEREAS many people in the NWT are greatly concerned about serious and lasting impacts of horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on their health, water, air, climate, fish, wildlife, land and communities;
AND WHEREAS water is one of our most precious resources and the foundation of our ecosystem, and the majority of water contaminated with hydraulic fracturing chemicals is poisoned forever and must ultimately be stored underground with unknown future risk;
AND WHEREAS scientists have determined that 80 percent of currently known unrecovered reserves of fossil fuels, including those in the NWT, must remain in the ground if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change and associated risks to human civilization;
AND WHEREAS regional and community Aboriginal government motions calling for a hold, a moratorium or a ban on fracking until a comprehensive public review of the practice can be conducted have been passed by the Sahtu Secretariat Inc., the Gwich’in Tribal Council, the Dehcho First Nations, the Akaitcho Government, the Dene Nation, and the Liidlii Kue First Nation;
AND WHEREAS a petition containing 1,142 signatures was tabled on June 2, 2015, urging GNWT to put a moratorium on fracking permits until a comprehensive, transparent and public review of the cumulative environmental, social and economic risks and benefits of the process is completed and the NWT public clearly indicates whether the risks and benefits are acceptable or not;
AND WHEREAS on May 8, 2014, the NWT Elders Parliament unanimously supported a motion calling for a moratorium on fracking in the NWT;
AND WHEREAS on March 12, 2014, a petition was presented in this House that was signed by 796 people from at least 24 NWT communities insisting that the GNWT exercise its authority under the MVRMA to refer future fracking applications to a full environmental assessment that includes public hearings was presented in this House;
AND WHEREAS recent public engagements on proposed fracking regulations have heard from people throughout the Northwest Territories, some of whom called for a moratorium and public consideration of the question of whether we want to pursue fracking in the Northwest Territories or not;
AND WHEREAS the Council of Canadian Academies released a report in April 2014, titled “Environmental Impacts of Shale Gas Extraction in Canada” that looked at horizontal fracking for both gas and oil, and recommends a cautious approach to fracking and says more research and information is needed on its impacts;
AND WHEREAS many jurisdictions around the globe, including the Canadian jurisdictions of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec and New Brunswick, have imposed moratoria or bans on fracking, at least until further research and review;
AND WHEREAS our neighbouring Legislature in Yukon conducted a comprehensive and public review of fracking over two years and was unable to come to agreement on whether the risks of fracking are acceptable;
AND WHEREAS the impacts of horizontal hydraulic fracturing are wide-ranging and not well understood, especially in the North with the added complications of permafrost;
AND WHEREAS community members of all ages wish to be fully informed, consulted and involved in discussions around fracking and the risks and benefits in their regions;
AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories needs more baseline information and better monitoring plans that involve elders, the community and traditional knowledge;
AND WHEREAS fracking operations in one region of the NWT will have impacts on every other region of the NWT;
AND WHEREAS the oil and gas industry has indicated that given current and forecast economic conditions, they are unlikely to be active with fracking operations in the NWT for a number of years;
AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories has the authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing within our jurisdiction;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the government immediately establish a moratorium on horizontal hydraulic fracturing activity for at least two years, or until the completion of a comprehensive, transparent and public review of the cumulative environmental, social and economic risks and benefits of the process. Mahsi.