Resumen del autor, extraído del trabajo. In British Columbia, Canada, the oil and gas regulator is charged with providing effective and efficient regulatory processes, while conserving the resource, protecting the environment, and consulting on potential aboriginal treaty infringement. This dichotomous paradigm not only demands that the regulator is credible, fair and consistent, but also is perceived to be credible, fair and consistent by those affected by industry activities as well as by those regulated. Efficient and effective regulatory processes together with certainty of land and operational access through stakeholder engagement, enhance the oil and gas investment climate and development opportunities. The Government of British Columbia and industry defined a goal of doubling natural gas production from 21.3 billion cubic metres in 1998 to more than 45 billion by 2008. The Oil and Gas Commission (the "Commission") was created to steward this growth. The Commission, through its regulatory processes, facilitates the interaction between the social, economic, cultural and climatic factors that impact oil and gas activities and the industry. Making effective decisions on behalf of stakeholders is seen to be an essential and integral part of an effective regulatory process.