Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I want to clarify about policy direction. It's policy direction, in general. It's not specific to a project and it's not a decision.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The responsible ministers would make that decision.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Currently, under the MVRMA, the environmental assessment decisions are consensus-based decisions between the territorial minister and the federal minister. That would continue.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Certainly. I did just refer to one, and I would probably highlight this as one of the key accommodations that we made through the process. It is as a result of comments received from aboriginal parties through the consultations. We included a clause in the bill, which would be a new clause, 56.3, in the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and clause 136 in the bill in front of you on page 105.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  On the regulatory improvement side of the coin, we also have an extensive record of consultations since 2010. I would note that as soon as Mr. Pollard was appointed, he actually sent letters to all aboriginal parties to explain clearly Canada's intent. So part of the consultation approach and record is the clarity with respect to what the proposed changes are and were at the time.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As noted in my previous response, there have been consultations on policy intent with respect to the regulatory improvement initiatives since 2010. John Pollard, the minister's chief federal negotiator, held over 50 meetings from 2010 until 2013 on restructuring of the land and water board itself.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  They were involved in consultations, and they did participate. I just don't have details of the meetings and when they took place between Mr. Pollard and the Tlicho.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We're aware of the Tlicho's position with respect to the restructuring of the land and water board. However, in our analysis and view, the proposed restructuring is consistent with the land claim agreement, in particular section 22.4.1 of the Tlicho Agreement, which does allow for a larger land and water board applicable to the entire Mackenzie Valley.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As I stated previously on regulatory improvement, we have been consulting on policy intent since 2010. There was the appointment of chief federal negotiator John Pollard who did hold his series of consultations on policy intent. With respect to the action plan for the regulatory improvements, we had subsequent consultations on policy intent with groups, both in December of 2012 and then again in July of 2013.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Regulatory improvement discussions have been ongoing since 2010, especially with respect to restructuring of the land and water boards, and transboundary groups would have been involved in that.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. As the Minister noted last week in his testimony before the committee, regulatory improvement has long been identified as a precondition for long-term growth in the north and a more stable and attractive investment climate from which all northerners can benefit. The genesis of the regulatory improvement initiative can be found in a number of reports and recommendations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Good morning. I'm Tara Shannon, director of resource policy and programs.