I was pleased to see the thoughtful explanation by Peter James about the Northern Gateway Review Panel (Citizen, Oct. 27) but feel that there needs to be a clarification in regard to its authority. The article stated, that "Ultimately it will be up to... the three members of the JRP to rule if enough information has been presented for the project to move forward."
The words "ultimately" and "rule" could leave the impression that the Panel is the final arbiter when in fact, all they can do is recommend to the federal cabinet per the the two agencies which established the Panel: the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency- which reports to Cabinet through Peter Kent (who led in pulling Canada out of the Kyoto Accord for fear of it inhibiting developments like the tar sands) and the National Energy Board, whose minister, Joe Oliver, the former Merrill Lynch investment banker, was railing against alleged foreign-led opposition to the pipeline before the panel even began its hearings.
Norman Dale
Prince George
