Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thanks to our witnesses.
I'll very briefly but not adequately express the deep respect I have for everyone who has been involved in the development of this legislation over the decades. What we're seeing here tonight is the culmination of years of work, and you're all to be commended. Thank you for allowing us to take a small part in potentially making this legislation happen.
I'll start with Minister Preyra.
At a Senate committee meeting on April 16, 2003, Senator Patterson said this to you: “CPAWS has recommended that we amend the bill to not allow low-impact oil and gas exploration, not allow exploration activity of any kind on the island, and prohibit horizontal drilling under the island.” Basically, he was asking you if you had any comments on that. Your response was: “In a way, it is a deal breaker, or at least it sets us back to square one.”
Would those comments still stand today?