Thank you, Mr. Harvey. Thank you, Minister.
The National Energy Board has often been in the news lately. Three members of the board recused themselves from the hearing panel for the Energy East project. Moreover, some critics are claiming that the board is too close to the energy industry, which it is responsible for regulating.
During the election campaign, our government promised to modernize the National Energy Board, because we believe that the only way to guarantee the social licence of energy projects is to re-establish Canadians' trust in the assessment of these projects.
I believe there have so far been two announcements regarding the board's modernization. The first was regarding the government's intent to consult Canadians during the summer. This announcement was followed by the appointment last month of a five-member committee of experts. I am mentioning all of this because I see that in the supplementary estimates, $3.4 million have been earmarked for the modernization of the National Energy Board.
Minister, could you tell us how this additional amount will contribute to the modernization of the National Energy Board?