RE:"no legislated timeline" In regards to the lack of a timeline for the Minister to reply, I share your concerns.
The delay could be that the Minister might be away over Christmas.
More likely the delay has to do with how the Government could issue an EAC
when opposed by the LBN, and the Government has passed the DRIP Act.
I note that the LBN Chief asked to meet with the Minister before a
final decision was made regarding the EAC issuance.
As Salmon pointed out, under the old Act the Minister has 45 days
to issue an opinion, so I expect the Minister to deliver his decision
in the not to distant future. As the Government has stated there is
no legislative timeline for this decision, I expect that the decision will
be issued beyond the normal 45 days, perhaps this coming January.