Thank you very much for that important question.
To ensure that responsible development of our natural resources proceeds as it should, Canada needs a modern, predictable, rigorous regulatory system. It's really crucial to our national prosperity, both in the short and the long term. Our government has already implemented a number of innovations to enhance the performance in the regulatory system for major projects. The major project management office has in fact halved the time needed for these projects on average. That's a first step, and there are others, but more must be done.
We need a system that is fair and independent, that considers different viewpoints, that is open to people who have a legitimate interest in participating, and that is based on science and facts. It must ensure that aboriginal groups are listened to, that we fulfill our constitutional obligations to consult, and that we engage the aboriginal communities in meaningful consultations and discussions.
The system should not take years and years to review a project. It's possible to make regulatory decisions in a reasonable amount of time without compromising the rigour or the standards of the process. We believe reviews for major projects can be accomplished in a more streamlined fashion. It isn't an either/or question.
Our ultimate goal is simple but not necessarily easy to achieve: one project, one review, in a clearly defined timeframe. We can achieve a regulatory system that protects Canadians and the environment while at the same time helping to ensure the future prosperity of Canadians across the country. We are immensely blessed with the resources that we have, and it's up to us to responsibly develop them.