Hay River (Oct 09/06) - The three-member panel from the National Energy Board (NEB) holding hearings on the proposed Mackenzie gas project appear to be a patient lot.

The panel and its staff of seven spent most of their time waiting for someone to speak during recent hearings in Hay River.

Daniel Sonfrere, from K'atlodeeche First Nation spoke during Hay River hearings on the proposed Mackenzie gas project. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Two days - Sept. 29 and 30 - were set aside to discuss the project, but not many people showed up.

The panel adjourned the hearings several times because no one was present to testify.

The hearings were to focus on the engineering, safety and economic aspects of the pipeline project.

Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey briefly addressed the hearing, noting he couldn't stand the silence.

"It's quite obvious that Hay River wants to be a major player in the proposed pipeline," Delorey said, adding most people in the community support the project.

However, he noted there is concern about possible social impacts and the town needs enough time to prepare.

Hay River resident Greg McMeekin expressed concern about pipeline maintenance and the possibility of spills.

McMeekin also said the proposed pipeline is already affecting Hay River's business community. "Everybody is trying to get rich off the pipeline and it hasn't even happened, yet."

Chantale Simons, the aboriginal engagement specialist with the NEB, said the hearings were not a waste of time. "If there is a roomful of angry people, that tells us something," she said. "If there is no one, that tells us something."

Simons said local context, such as offered by the elders, will help the board make its decision.

The series of hearings will conclude this coming December in Inuvik.

The Joint Review Panel (JRP) on the Mackenzie gas project also held hearings in Hay River in July. It will wrap up its consultations in April in Inuvik, and begin writing its report.

That report will be folded into the NEB process.

The NEB panel will eventually make a recommendation on the project to the federal cabinet.