Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and (vii), the Minister of Natural Resources’ mandate letter outlines the government’s intent to introduce a new environmental assessment process to restore public trust. As noted in the question, the objectives are to restore robust oversight and thorough environmental assessments of areas under federal jurisdiction, while also working with provinces and territories to avoid duplication; to ensure that decisions are based on science, facts, and evidence, and serve the public’s interest; to provide ways for Canadians to express their views and opportunities for experts to meaningfully participate, including provisions to enhance the engagement of indigenous groups in reviewing and monitoring major resource development projects; and to require project proponents to choose the best technologies available to reduce environmental impacts.
It will take some time to engage Canadians and indigenous peoples and fully implement changes to the system. In the interim, projects currently under review, including the Trans Mountain expansion project, must continue pursuant to existing legislation.
The government is developing a transition strategy for projects currently under review to provide some certainty to industry through these changes. However, current projects being considered by the NEB will not have to go back to square one. An announcement will be made in the near future regarding how the environmental process for these and other projects will evolve.
With regard to (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f), the government is developing a transition strategy for projects currently under review to provide some certainty to industry through these changes. However, current projects being considered by the NEB will not have to go back to square one. An announcement will be made in the near future regarding how the environmental process for these and other projects will evolve.