Thank you for assuming my expertise here. Hopefully, I won't disappoint.
Let me perhaps step back a little bit and talk about how there are a number of processes and circles within circles in what you referred to, Mr. Amos.
First, when we talk about consultations or mobilization, a distinction should be made between mobilization as part of the request process—which is quasi-judicial—and mobilization as part of our daily pipeline oversight activities. Consultations and mobilization will take place in both cases. In the case of a pipeline construction request, that will generally be done through a very long process. In the other case, it may be more specific to a particular site.
When it comes to requests, the government turns to the National Energy Board and trusts its processes as much as possible. For example, among our activities are meetings where we hear from aboriginal community representatives in order to obtain what is called oral aboriginal traditional evidence. We want to add that to the file and consider it as the file progresses.
However, as part of this—and I am talking about requests here—the Department of National Resources will seek the mobilization of aboriginal communities to ensure that everything is complete, in addition to the consultations it holds. So there are files where the process will start even before the request is considered, even before it is completed and before the file is finalized, since we all think that it is very important, as is this dialogue.
As far as pipeline regulation and oversight go, we want to do more. Peter Watson, our CEO and Chair, recently attended the First Nations Forum on Energy. That meeting was held earlier this month in Vancouver. One of the things he said was that we had to do a better job and learn to collaborate with aboriginal peoples on ongoing issues. How can we have a better dialogue when ensuring pipeline oversight and regulation? We have initiated processes to be able to better respond to aboriginal groups' concerns.
Of course, this is a learning process. If you have not done so already, I suggest that you read our report on the National Mobilization Initiative, which is available on our website.
Last year, our CEO undertook some mobilization initiatives. He met with more than 80 communities across Canada, several of which were aboriginal groups, in order to find out how the situation could be improved. We will never achieve perfection, but we are trying to do the best we can. There is a proverb that says, “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again”. We will go back and try to improve things.
Is there a willingness to move forward and to be better mobilized? Yes. Is what we are currently doing perfect? Of course not, but we are striving toward constant improvement, and we are really listening to people.
I would add that, in the particular case of the energy east project, the draft principles make it possible to appoint three temporary members who would carry out more consultations or put forth more mobilization efforts, especially with communities.