Kevin O'Reilly

Merci, Monsieur le President. I am glad to hear that the Premier is in such a collaborative mood today. I hope that he can actually start to work with Members on this side of the House.

Earlier I cited how, in my view, this was a breach of the guiding principles of consensus government. I will just quote again: "Except under extraordinary circumstances, Members of the Legislative Assembly should be made aware of and have opportunity to discuss significant announcements, changes, consultations, or initiatives before they are released to the public." I would like to know from the Premier why he...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that. I understand that this is complicated. Now I will push my luck. If we can even get it before the end of next week, that would be even better. I will leave that with the Minister and his staff; they are laughing over there at me, but we have a shelf life here, and I would like to get that information before mine expires. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Of course, the Premier is under no obligation to actually answer questions, but if he does have that letter, the signed version, it would be great to see it. Can the Premier tell us whether he consulted or informed his Cabinet colleagues about this letter before it was signed and sent?

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister or staff tell me when this bill will come into force? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President.

Bill 36 establishes a term of 15 years for significant discovery licences (SDL) where previously exclusive rights to petroleum lands were granted for an indefinite time. Committee received submissions that questioned the 15-year term and were seeking answers on why this number was chosen. Considering term limits in other jurisdictions while taking into account the unique conditions of the Northwest Territories, committee believes that 15 years is a time limit that would allow industry to do work and still insert a time-bound requirement.

Several submissions...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, and I hope to be here in the next Assembly to have some say in how that rolls out, but I think that is all the questions I had. I want to put the law clerk on the spot here, if I may, Mr. Chair. I would like to ask the law clerk: any of the motions to amend the bill in committee, did any of those motions -- I guess I can only really ask about Bill 36. Did any of those motions have any effect on the jurisdiction of the National Energy Board with regard to the ISR? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Sorry, I wanted to ask about clause 14, if I may.

That's okay. Thanks.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I guess that I am worried about the kind of display that is in the Gas Bar at the Co-op here. We have to stop that kind of stuff from happening. That might even be in the next bill, I guess, but the sooner that this could be done, the better, I think, we will all be off. I probably don't have to tell this Minister that. Thanks.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I would like to ask the Minister: when is this bill going to come into force? Thanks, Mr. Chair.