Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, David and Christopher, for coming today.
We're talking about a piece of legislation that I think represents a new path forward with respect to major project development across the north. I want to commend the hard work your government has done—and our department as well—for what, by all accounts, based on your testimony today, has been a positive experience, one that, to quote some of the testimony we've heard so far, is aimed at a streamlined planning and review process, and as you've said, David, that brings “certainty and predictability”.
I think this is important in three main regards, and there may be others. It strikes me that the consultation process was thorough, and that, secondly, an emphasis was placed on what could be two competing claims, in a sense—economic development and of course the environment—as these projects move forward.
My colleagues are going to deal with the economic development and the environment piece. I want to focus for the next five or six minutes on the consultation process.
I was wondering, David, and perhaps Christopher, if you could tell us, to the extent that you're aware, about the nature of your participation—the government's participation—in the consultation process. Do you feel that your comments and/or your concerns were not just raised, because I'm sure you did that ably, but that they were adequately considered and responded to in this process?
If we have time, I'd like to go to a couple of residual questions on consultation.
Go ahead.