Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We propose amending Bill S-6 in clause 44 by replacing line 19 on page 20 with the following:
section 55.2 by a maximum of six months to.
This amendment deals with the concern raised by the Nunavut Water Board in its written submission to the committee. They were concerned about the current ability of the minister to only extend an application by two months. They felt that was insufficient to deal with situations beyond the board's control, and stated:
For example, the Board has no control over ensuring that Board Member appointments are conducted in a timely manner that do not compromise the Board's ability to make quorum, to ensure Panels are properly balanced as required under the NWNSRTA and the NLCA and to reasonably allocate the Board's workload amongst the Board's Members (all of whom are part-time).
A case in point is that until October 2014, when the Board finally achieved a full complement of 9...Members, two positions on the Board had been vacant for almost two (2) years.... As a result of late appointments and staggered 3 year terms, there is also the potential every 2 and ½ years for the Board to lose quorum when, in a single year, the terms of up to five (5) Board Members end.
Amendment NDP-11 would increase the maximum time the minister would grant an extension, from two months to six months. It is simple administration but very important to people who have worked on these boards, where appointments are not always made in a timely fashion. This has happened under Liberal and Conservative governments, and I'm sure it will happen under the next government. These appointments will be difficult to make.
This is something that actually works for everyone, and it's what the board asked for. They recognize that as part of their operating regime, they need this type of amendment. For the government not to support the amendment just seems a little ridiculous.