Environment committee  Thank you, Heather. As I think I mentioned in our opening remarks, one of our recommendations is a cost-sharing agreement with the Geological Survey of Canada, because mapping the aquifers underlying our communities, which supply us with groundwater, is a critical and foundational hydrogeological step that we've yet to take in most communities in the Yukon.

Environment committee  Thanks, Heather. The only comment I would add is that, as far as I can tell, the federal government participates in the socio-economic and environmental assessment process under YESAB. However, at least in recent years, they seem to have limited participation in the water-use licensing process.

Environment committee  I can attempt to field that question. Heather, please feel welcome to add to my response. Despite heavy reliance on groundwater as a potable water source, as I mentioned in my remarks, we have very limited capacity to understand our hydrogeological conditions here. Our groundwater program was formally established just 10 years ago, so it's very young.

Environment committee  Thanks, Heather. Yes, I would add that any proponent would first need to go through assessment under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act. This is federal legislation that applies here and is administered by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board, or YESAB, as we call it.

Environment committee  Thank you, Heather. Groundwater is a critical resource in the Yukon. Ninety-seven per cent of Yukoners depend on groundwater as a potable water source, making us the second-most groundwater-dependent jurisdiction in Canada, after Prince Edward Island. Of course, groundwater is not only critical to humans, but it sustains ecosystems by maintaining water levels, regulating temperatures and delivering nutrients to rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands.