Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have some remarks I would like to make about the concept of zones, if I may. I think this is an appropriate time, and I have some questions. I have had a lot of difficulty understanding the rationale for these zones. The way I heard it during the clause-by-clause review is that the department wants to try to encourage mineral exploration and that this was a way to try to do that. I have said that I think that that's a dangerous mixing of objectives, where the department is supposed to be a regulator of mineral rights and at the same time of promoter, and I think that it's not appropriate to mix those roles and the objectives in this bill. That is what I believe this zones portion is really all about. I have not seen anything in writing from Indigenous governments in submissions that I think committee received, that I can recall, nor from industry, requesting the establishment of zones. The representation that we did get from industry on this part of the bill was really about continuing the current practice of prospecting permits and grandfathering that provision into the legislation, which is actually done further down in the bill, and we may get to that if we ever finish, in terms of the transitional provisions. I am trying to understand what the rationale is for this. Can I get the Minister to provide a clear policy rationale? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Kevin O'Reilly on Committee Motion 222-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act - Amend Clause 24(7), Defeated
In the Legislative Assembly on August 20th, 2019. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 222-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act - Amend Clause 24(7), Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
August 20th, 2019
Page 6254
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