Merci, Monsieur le President.
Project Assessment Policy Review
My questions are for the Minister of Lands with lead responsibility for the Government of the Northwest Territories Project Assessment Policy.
In its report on the environmental assessment of the Tlicho All-Season Road, the review board made the observation that the GNWT whole-of-government approach to participation "has limited the ability of evidence and expertise from GNWT departments about the potential impacts, concerns, and mitigations on issues within their respective mandates and jurisdictions."
A lessons-learned evaluation on the GNWT's participation in the review process advised that a whole-of-government approach "cannot be successful without an explicit commitment to greater transparency and evidence-based decision-making."
Can the Minister explain the status of the process underway to revise the Project Assessment Policy, and
- How the review will address the criticism that the whole-of-government approach muzzles scientists and subject experts preventing their presentation of evidence vital to the identification and assessment of environmental effects;
- The timeline for completion of the review of the Project Assessment Policy;
- How the review will provide opportunities for public engagement into the review of the Project Assessment Policy including reporting of public input and GNWT responses; and
- How the input of Indigenous governments and co-management bodies will be solicited and incorporated into any revisions to the Project Assessment Policy?
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I have a second one.