Natural Resources committee  Mr. Chairman, and honourable member, thank you for the opportunity to respond. I think it's important for us to acknowledge that we, as board members of the National Energy Board, are looking at case-specific information that is brought to us on project-specific materials put before us.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll be very brief. Yes, I have encountered that. I could give you a list of items. In my opening remarks I discussed my time as a regulatory enforcement officer. In the early part of my career there were many times when, in order to make a decision, I had to look objectively at the law of environmental enforcement as well as the data that we were receiving as enforcement personnel.

Natural Resources committee  Mr. Chairman and honourable members, I'm delighted to respond to that. My training as an environmental scientist allows me to bring to the table the discipline and objectivity that's required to look at technical matters and make decisions. My regulatory enforcement experience has given me a broad range of experience in dealing with due diligence matters and matters that have been brought before the courts.

Natural Resources committee  I have a similar answer. I would go further to say that since my short time at the NEB, there are requirements for board members to maintain their independence and demonstrate that not only with their business, but also their political and social dealings. I'd like to report that in the short time, the 20 days, that I've been here since my appointment, I'm moving ahead to put in place the requirements that will meet or exceed the requirements I expect out of all permanent board members.

Natural Resources committee  Mr. Chairman, yes that is correct. All of the current permanent members are based in Calgary, and as member Bateman mentioned, we have a large number of temporary members who are spread across the country. That's correct.

Natural Resources committee  Mr. Chairman and honourable member, thank you very much for that question. I may perhaps after this moment be known as the member from Moose Jaw, but so be it. I'm very proud of that. I thank you for the acknowledgement of my university background. I think that the mandate of a board member, a permanent board member, is to be able to act as an independent decision-maker, one who makes decisions that are based on the facts of particular cases that are brought before the National Energy Board.

Natural Resources committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, and honourable members. My name is Ron Wallace. I would like to open by noting that I consider it a significant honour to be able to appear before you today and also to have been appointed just this very November to the National Energy Board. This board has an internationally recognized reputation as an independent and expert energy regulator, and I'm eager to serve Canada in my new capacity as a permanent member.