SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
An unsettled crowd packed the Multiplex Monday night for the final stop on a territory-wide public engagement tour on hydraulic fracturing regulations.

More than 100 people showed up to hear what representatives from the GNWT had to say about the new regulations expected to come down this fall, but didn't seem to like what they heard.

The first hour saw GNWT board members explain how the regulations will be used and outline how, in the event they are approved, concern for the environment will be considered alongside economic opportunities for the territory.

When it came time for public engagement, the lineup to the microphone stretched out around the gym with people ready to share their own view on the controversial subject.

Rounds of applause followed statements made by environmental activist France Benoit.

"I do not want to speak too long because I don't want to validate this process," she said. "This is not a dialogue. I do not want to be asked if the regulations are OK, I want to be asked if fracking is."

Benoit said she stands behind aboriginal governments who are feeling the pressure. She said the options for creating jobs in the territory are many and it would be more beneficial to focus on small-scale ventures such as hunting, agriculture and forestry.

She added when it comes to climate change and destruction of the environment, no community stands alone.

"Climate change knows no borders - we live on one Earth and what we do here impacts around the world," she said. "I am for small-scale sustainable development. That's the NWT I would like to live in."

Lawrence Nayally spoke on behalf of the Deh Cho region and asked how the GNWT plans to work with his people.

"You talk about us working together but how do you work together with the leadership in an unclaimed area that has put a ban on fracking?" he said. "To get to the Sahtu you have to go through the Deh Cho."

Deborah Archibald, assistant deputy minister of petroleum and mineral resources was reserved in her response but said the government has a legal obligation to consult with aboriginal governments.

"The GNWT is working hard on negotiating the land claim with the Deh Cho," she said. "When there is a development proposal applied to one of the boards, then the Deh Cho has the opportunity to participate."

Others were passionate about spiritual rights to the land slotted for fracking.

"How are you going to monitor the pollution in the water that is being stored, chemicals that you use to frack into the ground, sacred ground where my (ancestors) are buried? That's my blood you're going to disturb," Roxane Landry said tearfully. "I do not know if I trust you, the government."

Despite the impassioned crowd, it may be a while until the process is complete and answers are fully given.

Once passed, the regulations will set out the filing requirements for companies that plan to frack in the territory, based on National Energy Board guidelines currently in place. The GNWT has touted its more stringent requirements in several areas including surface and groundwater information collection and air quality monitoring, as well as the public disclosure of chemicals used in the fracking process. Regulations do not go so far as to actually require public disclosure, but rather recommend companies release their chemical cocktails. Ingredients are however required to be disclosed to the oil and gas regulator. The consultations and public engagement will continue until the end of August when departments will review the material and a recommendation will be provided to cabinet.

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