Regency D, British Columbia
October 1, 2007

Question:        (Off microphone).

The Honourable Gary Lunn, PC, MP
Minister of Natural Resources:

We’ve heard this right across the system — that there was a real lack of capacity. But also that the system wasn’t delivering what it had to do, that there wasn’t the accountability check. So this will do a number of things. You know the short-term goal is to actually cut the regulatory approval time in half. That’s remarkable in itself. And it will track all the federal systems. Someone came up to me and said, “Well, shouldn’t we be doing joint reviews with the province?” We’ve had some very successful reviews in the province here. They had pilot projects. But we need to get our federal house in order. The province has done a remarkable job at reducing their regulatory approvals. So this is something that we’re looking at as we move forward. So we’re very, very enthusiastic about this. We’ve got some great people heading this up. And we think it will have a very positive impact.

Question:        (Off microphone).

David McGinnis
President of Canadian Energy Pipeline Association:

“I’ve been very positive. I mean anything that is going to be able to act as an opportunity within the federal system to bust roadblocks is very positive. A fifty percent reduction in the time it takes to move through the regulatory process is extremely positive. But equally important, is the aspect of the MPMO, whereby it’s going to increase accountability of regulatory agencies and departments by monitoring their achievements and by reporting on that. And with respect to the pipeline sector in Canada, this is a very, very significant improvement in the regulatory process.”

Question:
Is the government making the right move? How would you describe this move by the federal government?

David McGinnis
President of Canadian Energy Pipeline Association:

“I think this is absolutely the right move. The Government of Canada’s decision to implement the MPMO is one that is welcomed by the pipeline sector in this country and it has been a long time coming. And so, we’re happy to see Minister Lunn’s leadership on this file and to see the MPMO come to life today. It’s a significant investment of money, but it’s also going to result in great benefits for all Canadians.”

Question:        (Off microphone).

Patricia Dillon:
President, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada:

“We’re pleased about them [the Government of Canada] eliminating roadblocks, but the most important part is, it’s funded. And they recognize that they need the right kind of people with the technical background, and they’ve committed to supporting this as well. So, this is huge for Canada and particularly for our industry in terms of its competitiveness. It also re-establishes Canada’s leadership in another key sector.”

Question:        (Off microphone).

The Honourable Richard Neufeld
B.C. Energy Minister:

“Well, today’s announcement is a culmination of actually working together — industry, provincial government, federal government — in trying to actually unlock the ‘Pandora’s box’ of regulatory issues that are slowing projects down.”

“Minister Lunn announced the Major Projects Management Office today — a $150-million investment. It will actually serve all of Canada, but over half of the major projects in mining are happening here in British Columbia.”

“So, we certainly regard this as a great step forward for B.C.  We’ll see a lot more time spent by federal officials in the province, dealing with daily issues, federally and provincially. And we intend to work very closely with Minister Lunn to make sure that this new Major Projects Management Office works.”

Question:        (Off microphone).

Pierre Gratton quote
Mining Association of Canada:

“It’s extremely important for us. It’s actually something that we’ve been calling for for the past three, four, five years. And it was probably the first thing we talked about when we sat down to meet with Minister Lunn when he became Minister. It was our top recommendation that he [Minister Lunn] put this kind of office in place. So it’s great news for us.”