Yes.
Evidence of meeting #53 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was terms.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #53 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was terms.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5 p.m.
Deputy Minister of the Environment, Chief Negociator, Devolution, Government of Nunavut, Government of Nunavut
On the general side, there are provisions where our conservation officers will have the capability to enforce any of the terms of conditions that are laid in. That's where this legislation will allow us to provide enforcement within the federal legislation in terms of our interests.
5 p.m.
Conservative
David Wilks Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC
Under subclauses 219(2) and 298(3) of this bill, it lays out that the fine will be no more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both. I'm assuming that through the tri-party agreement or through negotiations, everyone felt this was an adequate fine that would recognize the severity of anyone breaching any of the policies within the act.
Finally, from the perspective of the Nunavut people and those who were involved in the negotiation, why was it deemed necessary to include enforcement mechanisms in the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act?
5 p.m.
Deputy Minister of the Environment, Chief Negociator, Devolution, Government of Nunavut, Government of Nunavut
With respect to any impact on the land within Nunavut, it has been our government's objective to have good, sound environmental stewardship. To protect that, we need some enforcement provisions to make sure the interests of the environment are considered, that we have a good, sound system, and that if there is going to be any impact in Nunavut, there should be some provisions.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
David Wilks Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC
Clause 74 of the bill states that if a project is not in conformity with any applicable land use plan, the commission can deem it inappropriate. I wonder if you could speak a little bit to the land use plan process and how you feel this conforms through this act.
5:05 p.m.
Deputy Minister of the Environment, Chief Negociator, Devolution, Government of Nunavut, Government of Nunavut
I apologize. I don't have a specific answer for that, but I would be willing to provide it. We're just having technical difficulties in terms of trying to get this legislation. We thought that to save paper, instead of printing, we would put it on our wonderful technology. We're just struggling with this right now.
If it's all right with you, Mr. Chair and the members, we can provide a written response.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
That would be great.
Mr. Wilks, the time is up.
We want to thank you for coming on such short notice. We know that we didn't provide you with much notice, and we certainly appreciate your willingness to be here.
This brings us to the end of this portion of our meeting. We will suspend, colleagues, to go in camera for some future business.
Again, I want to thank our witnesses before us today for coming on short notice and for bringing some very detailed answers on a comprehensive piece of legislation.
[Proceedings continue in camera]