N.W.T. minister Ramsay apologizes for confusion on fracking rules

The Northwest Territories' minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment is apologizing for what he says is confusion about public consultation on the territory's new fracking regulations.

The controversy began with a line in a government summary announcing the drafting of new hydraulic fracturing regulations for the territory. The summary stated that the rules were based on "the views andpriorities of N.W.T. residents."

The issue of who exactly those "views and priorities" reflected came up in public engagement sessions on the draft rules in both Fort Good Hope and Tulita, as government representatives travelled through multiple N.W.T. communities in April soliciting public comment.

• Related:Who did the N.W.T. government consult for fracking regulations?
• Related:Committee didn't help draft proposed N.W.T. fracking rules, says chair

CBC News contacted ministerDavid Ramsay to clarify who exactly the government spoke with earlier this month. He responded by saying the priorities were taken from a report prepared by the territorial government'sStanding Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure (SCEDI).

However, MLA Robert Hawkins, who chairs the committee, said earlier this week that his committee had no involvement in drafting the proposed regulations, and that the committee's report on fracking calls for ongoing and meaningful consultation.

"I am sure I said the work the committee has done has help get us where we need to go," Ramsay said Wednesday, when asked to respond to Hawkins' comments. "Maybe small portions of that were taken out of context, and that led to some confusion, and I apologize."

The department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has since clarified that public comments on fracking were taken from meetings held on other topics, including devolution, land use planning and water strategies.

Ramsay also told CBC that despite negative feedback from northerners, he believes fracking is a must to grow the Northwest Territories' economy.