Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, and I am very mindful of the Minister's opening remarks here about clarifying authority and ensuring Northerners are able to make decisions that support sustainable development. All of these things are good things that he said, but setting a floor for or at least requiring that there is a floor for when public hearings should be held, this clause doesn't do that. It just says it's up to the discretion of the regulator on a case-by-case basis, perhaps. I am not sure how this actually creates any certainty or clarity moving forward as to when a public hearing might actually be held. The reason why I raise this again is Northerners are used to water licensing, where there is a class A, class B water licences. A class B water licence, the thresholds for those are set out by regulation. Those thresholds require hearings on class A licences and amendments to class A licences. Class B licences, no problem; go ahead, and the board can issue a licence after it gives consideration. However, there is no floor here; there is no requirement for a floor. I say this because that is the kind of system that Northerners are used to through our co-management approach, is having a floor and setting clear expectations of when a hearing is going to be required. This bill does not do that, and maybe I would just ask the Minister why that certainty, that clarity is not provided. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Kevin O'Reilly on Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on August 14th, 2019. See this statement in context.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
August 14th, 2019
Page 6018
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