There's a distinction here that has to be brought into play. The National Energy Board, as I mentioned, has three roles. It has an adjudication role, which is what the panel is doing, and in that role, the panel is independent. Our staff who are dealing with them are in essence “firewalled” and they provide them that advice, so they are acting like the court of record, which they are, according to section 11 of our act.
However, as an organization, the CEO and chair and I, along with our supporting organization, provide advice to Natural Resources Canada. We have provided advice in that context, and that was given to the minister for consideration. So, yes, we were consulted.