The GNWT is proposing changes to the NWT’s petroleum legislation — specifically, the Petroleum Resources Act and Oil and Gas Operations Act.
Members of the public, Indigenous governments and organizations, Industry, and other stakeholders are being invited to share their thoughts in a comprehensive engagement program.
As the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) rolls out its engagement effort, we sat down with Minister of ITI Wally Schumann to discuss the engagement initiative.
Q: What are the goals of this review?
A: There are several.
First, we are doing some “housekeeping;” addressing minor administrative and technical amendments that were inherited in the legislation devolved from the federal government. We want to fix things that are vague and close loopholes which may not have been intended in the original drafting; and to taking care of some deficiencies that we have identified since taking over responsibility for his legislation.
We want to make oil and gas development in our territory more transparent. It’s our job to build trust in how our oil and gas resources are developed and governed; making more information available to our citizens is one way to do that.
We want to start making our laws responsive to the realities of the North. These laws weren’t designed with our jurisdiction in mind. Our priorities are different and our laws should reflect that.
We want to increase our competitiveness in the national and global petroleum markets to promote increased investment in NWT oil and gas exploration and production. A consistent and predictable regulatory regime will provide greater confidence and certainty to those looking to operate in the NWT oil and gas sector, making our jurisdiction more attractive. We have provided a number of options to improve how we manage significant discoveries of oil and gas resources in the NWT
Q: How wide-ranging are the changes?
A: This is not a comprehensive review. It’s a first-step. These changes are intended to address the most pressing needs to make our legislation work for the NWT. There will be more work done in the future to evolve our oil and gas regime.
Q: Will these amendments deal with hydraulic fracturing?
A: The debate surrounding the use of hydraulic fracturing is centred on the availability of public information and transparency. Greater transparency is the important first step – and this review will address that.
However, this review will not include a “yay or nay” conversation on the practice of hydraulic fracturing in the NWT.
Q: How are you getting input from people?
A: Community visits began March 13 in Fort Simpson. We will be travelling to all regional centres; wrapping up our community engagements in Hay River on April 12.
We are holding targeted meetings with Non-Governmental Organizations, Regulatory Authorities, and industry stakeholders.
And we are also accepting submissions from everyone online, by email, by phone, and by mail, and by fax until May 4th so people can take part how they want, when they want, no matter where they are.
Q: Is this the only chance Indigenous governments will have a to provide input?
A: No. Indigenous governments will be invited to take part in formal consultations after the changes are ultimately drafted. These will ensure Aboriginal and Treaty rights are respected, and their input in this stage will also be considered in the final product.
Q: Why these changes? Why now?
A: Oil and gas is a public good. We have a duty as a government to make sure our laws allow us to manage this public good in the best interest of our people, and instill trust in the regulatory system.
We made a commitment to the people of the NWT to “evolve” the legislation that was inherited from the federal government in the 2014 Devolution process.
We intend to deliver on that commitment within the life of this Assembly. This is the first step in making the NWT’s oil and gas legislation our own.
For more information
Mike Westwick
Communications Officer
Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
1-867-767-9202 ext.63039
