Just to put it in a layperson's terms, in this committee we are asked if the pace in the acceleration of development in the oil sands is sustainable from a social, an economic, and an environmental perspective, or if it's not. In terms of the variables, part of the answer to that question is that we have economic multipliers, which you laid out very well. We have a taxation regime that, as you have indicated, puts us in a fair area in terms of the equity that comes out of the investment and is redistributed through taxes and royalties, through governments, for social and environmental costs. Also, one of the variables is technology, and you've given answers with respect to that.
So my question is this, and perhaps from your varying perspectives you can answer it. It's similar to a question that was put to the National Energy Board.
What are the levers that exist, such as environmental assessment, that are used to determine the sustainability of the development of the oil sands? If there are no levers—be they fiscal, or incentives with respect to the acceleration of technology, or whatever they are—from your varying perspectives, what would be your recommendations as to how the levers could be changed? From a responsible development position, from both viewpoints, what would you recommend to government? What would you recommend to this committee? In terms of making sure our mandate is followed, that being to attempt to ensure on behalf of the citizens of Canada both now and in the future that they are not being put at risk, what should we be involved with given that there are tremendous multipliers that you've brought to the committee?
That's the question, Mr. Chairman. I know it's a convoluted one, but I'm trying to posit that because I think it's the bottom line that this committee is struggling with.