Environment committee  While they are still imperfect, I think the changes related to a comprehensive study and the 365-day limit, along with the other short limit of 90 days for the other section of it, at least provide some degree of capping on that. There are still lots of processes that happen with

Environment committee  The best example I can give is that most utilities--though not all--have an obligation to serve. At least we in eastern Canada do. We must provide electricity every minute of every day, so when someone flicks the switch on, we have to be there to provide it. Therefore, we choose

Environment committee  That's correct.

Environment committee  Timelines are an important consideration. I think working our way through the “one project, one assessment” idea is quite important, and figuring out how that happens is important. I draw upon the work of the regulatory advisory committee that has existed for many years since the

Environment committee  It's built in to some of the integrated resource planning exercises that we are a part of.

Environment committee  Therefore, we support that, because it leads to better projects that have more of a social licence and acceptance to bring them forward.

Environment committee  And we embrace that.

Environment committee  In many cases, as a project proceeds, there is some optionality that is part of what is brought forward, and often the process can inform. It provides an opportunity also—as was discussed with the last member—for public participation in various forms, which is helpful. Companies,

Environment committee  As a result of that, the process adds a lot of value. We're simply trying to find a way to provide advice to your committee which will allow for that to take place in a more efficient manner.

Environment committee  I guess I'm going to answer that. There are many examples. Almost every project we engage in ends up with a number of triggers from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, so Fisheries and Oceans Canada, navigable waters, migratory birds, and therefore Environment Canada, and

Environment committee  It's always difficult to exactly quantify the costs of delay, but every time there is a delay it certainly creates an opportunity to introduce additional studies, which sometimes add very little value considering the costs just for people to participate—even on the industry and g

Environment committee  We're always interested in having the most credible of processes. I think the comments we raised in our brief and in our remarks by Ms. Schwartz were really directed at saying we want to see the right level of review for the right level of project. So if broader planning issues

Environment committee  It's always of value, and industry, independent of the process and in advance of any project or initiative we bring forward, often engages in significant public consultation. On many of the projects I've been associated with over the past 30 years, if we have an interest in a pro

Environment committee  As utilities, we often are involved in quite far in front processes. Many of us are regulated within our province, as we are. We regularly undergo integrated resource planning exercises that are highly public and participatory in nature and are administered by the utility and rev

Environment committee  With the two-stage proposal that you're suggesting, one of the tools that already exists, for example, is the strategic environmental assessment. In Nova Scotia most recently, we underwent a strategic assessment for the tidal and offshore renewable industry—in advance of even bri