Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning. My name is Gabriel Nirlungayuk and I am the deputy minister of environment for the Government of Nunavut. On behalf of Premier Taptuna I would like to thank the committee for this invitation this morning that was extended to the premier. Premier Taptuna sends his regrets. I am appearing on his behalf.
Also appearing for the Government of Nunavut is Mr. William MacKay, acting assistant deputy minister of intergovernmental affairs.
This morning I am here to speak in support of part 2 of Bill S-6, An Act to amend the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act.
This bill is an important step in creating an effective and modern regulatory regime in Nunavut. The Nunavut Water Board plays an essential role in land and resource management in Nunavut. lt is composed of members appointed or nominated by Inuit, as well as the territorial and federal governments. lt has operated effectively in Nunavut since 1996.
This bill will give the board and regulators important new powers that will ensure that water use in Nunavut is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Mr. Chair, the Government of Nunavut believes that this bill will make a number of improvements to the regulatory regime in Nunavut. lt will give the water board increased flexibility and give regulators better enforcement powers. lt will ensure a regulatory process with predictable timelines and clear integration with the work of the other regulators and boards in Nunavut.
The Government of Nunavut supports the proposed amendments and was consulted when they were developed. In particular, Mr. Chair, the increase in existing fines associated with water licenses will bring the fine levels in line with those under the Territorial Lands Act, and other pieces of federal environmental legislation, and will serve as an effective deterrent to unlicenced water use.
Likewise, the addition of an administrative monetary penalties regime will give enforcement officers more tools to ensure that this legislation is complied with and will allow for more effective and efficient enforcement of water licence conditions.
Allowing for life-of-project water licences will give the water board the flexibility to issue licences to developers that are better tailored to the particular water use and will give developers clearer certainty of their water rights.
The requirement in the bill that the water board takes into consideration agreements between Canada, regional Inuit associations, and proponents regarding posting of security will address the issue of overbonding, which is a barrier to investment in Nunavut.
The specific timelines that are established in the bill for regulator and minister decisions are particularly welcomed by the Government of Nunavut. This will bring certainty and predictability to Nunavummiut, industry, and other stakeholders.
As the committee can see, this is an important piece of legislation for the north, particularly Nunavut, and will contribute to the environmental protection and economic development for Nunavut.
Mr. Chair, that is all I have in terms of opening comments.
I thank the committee members for your time.
Subject to any further opening remarks by my colleague, Mr. MacKay, we are prepared to answer any questions the committee may have.
Thank you.