Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank the witnesses for their excellent presentation.
As you know, our committee is currently examining the relationship between the development of the oil and gas industry and sustainable development. In that context, on January 27, 2016, the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced an interim approach designed to restore trust in environmental assessment. In this initiative, the government defined five broad principles, which are that no project proponent will be asked to return to the starting line if processes have already begun; decisions will be based on science; the views of the public and affected communities will be sought and considered; indigenous peoples will be meaningfully consulted; and direct and upstream greenhouse gas emissions linked to these projects will be assessed.
In your opinion, Mr. Fox, how will these five principles increase the confidence of the public and of the communities concerned in your assessment procedures for large projects?