Thank you. I am pleased to introduce Bill 37, An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act. The purpose of this bill is to address critical first-step changes to the Oil and Gas Operations Act. Its aim is to enhance transparency and public accountability and address administrative and technical issues with the current legislation.
To enhance transparency and public accountability, this bill proposes extended authorities and requirements for both the Minister and the regulator related to oil and gas activities in the Northwest Territories.
For the regulator, the bill would allow them to conduct public hearings, specify what powers they may exercise in those hearings, and expand their authority to issue guidelines and interpretation notes, providing guidance on the application and administration of the act and regulations.
For the Minister, the bill would enshrine in legislation the requirement for an annual report on activities of the regulator to be tabled in the legislature.
The proposal also requires both the Minister and the regulator to make more information public that is related to oil and gas activities, while clarifying obligations pertaining to confidentiality of information received by either party.
On the administrative and technical side, this bill clarifies authorities of the Minister and the regulator to delegate their powers, duties, and functions to other qualified persons and also clarifies requirements surrounding proof of financial responsibilities of holders of oil and gas authorizations.
This bill is part of the government's work to improve the Northwest Territories land and resource management regime to ensure that Northerners are able to make decisions that support sustainable, responsible development and protection of the environment while respecting Indigenous rights. This made-in-the-North legislation will help ensure that Northwest Territories residents are making decisions about how land and resources in our territory are developed and used on behalf of current residents and future generations.
To that end, this bill was developed through an extensive policy development effort, including legislative research; multiplatform engagement campaigns, where the public, industry, Indigenous governments, NGOs, and other interested stakeholders were invited to comment; feedback from other Members; and close collaboration with Indigenous governments through the Intergovernmental Council. The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment also prepared plain language materials to support the public engagement process.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has worked with the legislative division of the Department of Justice on this bill. The department does not anticipate that new regulations are necessary for this initiative, but does anticipate working with the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations to ensure that appropriate guidance is developed before bringing these changes into force, should the bill pass.
I wish to commend all Members on their continued engagement with constituents as this bill as moved through the legislative process, and I welcome any questions that the Members may have. Thank you, Mr. Chair.