Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to go back to the screening question. Ms. Liu mentioned it, and it seems important, given that screening accounts for 99% of environmental assessments, and given that the commissioner said in 2009 that “the rationale or analysis in half of the files examined was too weak to demonstrate how environmental effects of projects had been considered and whether actions were taken to mitigate them”.
I'm also concerned that it seems to be a self-assessment process, if I understand it correctly. I understand that self-assessment has some economies of scale, especially for the government, by shifting the costs onto the proponents. But there could be problems if, under self-assessment, the proponent conducts the screening and determines whether to provide an opportunity for public participation, determines whether to require a follow-up program, and makes the final decision.
Did I misunderstand that?