Mr. Chair, I move that Bill C-47, in clause 11, be amended by adding after line 8 on page 158 the following:
82.1 For greater certainty, the Board may specify in an access order made under this Act that access to particular lands or waters must only take place (a) by air; (b) by means of specified air corridors; and (c) during certain specified times of the year.
This was asked for as an amendment by northerners. This is understanding the nature of access in the north. It's a “may” clause, so it doesn't bind the board to any particular action. What it does is it gives it the authority to lay out very specific conditions.
The government has argued that these are in there as well, but this, for greater certainty, outlines it in the bill. This means there will be situations where the only access that will be granted will be in a certain fashion. That means that issues of economics will not prevail over issues of environment, or when it comes to determining the method of access.
That's the nature of this amendment. It's not one that will make or break this, but it's certainly one that was asked for.