Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Member for the question. Both Alberta and Canada are considering the development of regulatory guidance or regulations to allow for discharge of treated oil sand tailings water to the Athabasca River. Alberta's conducting scientific studies to support the development of regulatory guidance which will outline requirements for oil sands and operations to release treated oil sands tailing water.
As I've stated previously, the GNWT -- I repeat -- the GNWT will not support the release of oil sands tailings affluent unless rigorous scientific science demonstrates a safe way for it to be done.
I met with the Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas in April. I've asked the Minister how GNWT's comments on the key knowledge gaps reports will be addressed. I also continue to advocate that Alberta engage and consult with NWT Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations as well as the public on the development of any regulations. Officials have met with Canada to receive an update on their regulation development process. Canada's planning to release a discussion paper and conduct consultation with NWT Indigenous governments and organizations this year. The public review period for the federal regulations is anticipated in 2024.
Mr. Speaker, I can also tell you that it's not the only thing Alberta is looking at. They've looked at a variety of things and, again, we weren't able to get the concrete information what they were doing, but they did say that they were looking at other alternatives as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.