John Loney

[The Liberal Party, June 13th, 1994]

Due largely to the fact that the Prime Minister and his cabinet have demonstrated their commitment to the party's promises made in the red book, the Liberal Party enjoys the support and confidence of 52 per cent of Albertans, up from 40 per cent in late April and 25 per cent on election day last October.

I applaud the efforts of this government and encourage the membership to maintain the course.

[The Liberal Party, June 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to have this opportunity today to bring to the attention of this House the results of a recent Angus Reid survey conducted across the country a number of days ago.

Although it comes as no surprise that the federal Liberal Party maintains considerable support from the vast majority of Canadians, it is very interesting to note that for the first time in decades the Liberal Party also tops the polls in my home province of Alberta.

[Immigration, June 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

I have received many representations from concerned constituents in my riding about the case of Alexandre Makar. Mr. Makar is presently teaching in Edmonton. His employment authorization expires on June 30, at which time he is expected to return to Ukraine on the grounds that he is medically inadmissible due to a rare kidney condition.

Could the minister of immigration please update the House on this case?

[The Environment, June 3rd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, both the environment and the economy are big winners today as the result of two agreements between the federal and Alberta governments. The agreements are an example of federal and provincial governments working co-operatively to administer environmental regulations without sacrificing the quality of the environment or increasing the risk to human health.

The administrative and equivalency agreements are provided for under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. They will lead to a more efficient delivery of the environmental protection and enforcement programs that govern toxic substances by reducing overlap and lightening the paper burden on jointly regulated industries.

This initiative is part of the federal government's overall plan to harmonize federal and provincial legislation and regulations where possible and eliminate unnecessary duplication.

[Canada Petroleum Resources Act, May 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the House on Bill C-25, an act to amend the Canada Petroleum Resources Act.

I want to join my colleague, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, in urging hon. members to support this minor administrative change to the act.

Bill C-25 will permit extending the duration of production from Norman Wells oil field probably to the year 2020 thereby continuing an important source of income from which northern families have benefited for the past five decades. This will provide a tremendous boost to the local economy. The economic activity and new investments associated with Norman Wells will possibly provide an additional 90 jobs in the north.

I would also point out to hon. members that the Norman Wells project is directly responsible for creating jobs elsewhere in Canada. For instance about 70 jobs have been created in Alberta.

It is no exaggeration to say that the community of Norman Wells depends on its oil industry. For many Canadians the words Norman Wells are inextricably linked with oil. Take away the right to produce every available drop of oil and you take away the right of economic well-being from this community.

However, by agreeing to extend the field's production life we will accomplish just the opposite. We will be making a decision that will lead to additional and longer term employment, ensuring the survival of Norman Wells for the next 25 years.

Bill C-25 will help create continued prosperity to the community which is already the transportation hub for the region and is fast becoming a regional centre for government services and tourism. Norman Wells has a promising future but a future that needs a healthy northern petroleum industry.

I would like to briefly outline for hon. members just how important the Norman Wells project is to the economy of the Northwest Territories.

In 1993 expenditures in Norman Wells production activities totalled $36 million, about half of which was spent in the north and all of which was spent in Canada. The oil field provides

some $3.7 million in wages to northern workers each year. More than 30 companies in Norman Wells and over 20 companies in other northern communities owe at least part of their annual business to the project.

By revising the proven area agreement of 1994 the government will extend the life of the field by 12 years or more and ensure that these annual expenditures continue well into the next century.

Hon. members can appreciate that Imperial Oil's plan to undertake a $30 million drilling program is extremely good news for northern businesses and communities. Northern businesses will supply about 37 per cent of the goods and services used in the drilling program. They will also benefit from the opportunity to learn up to date horizontal drilling techniques. This capability will enhance future business and employment opportunities for northern firms not only in the Territories but also in northern Alberta and British Columbia where there is currently a shortage of such expertise.

As the minister has already stated, some $20 million of the proposed $30 million drilling program will be spent in the south, mostly in Alberta. Even without the drilling program Norman Wells is responsible for annual wages of $2.8 million in the south.

Looking at this issue from a different perspective, it is clear that Canada cannot afford to abandon a project such as Norman Wells until the field has produced to its fullest potential. This, too, would be an irresponsible course of action. We have significant oil reserves in this country but that is no excuse to be wasteful.

Norman Wells is currently the fourth largest producing field in Canada. It yields about 33,000 barrels of oil a day and generated more than $50 million in revenues to the government in 1992. The Norman Wells field has made an important contribution to Canada's energy supply over the past 40 years. With this amendment it can continue to play an important role for at least the next 25 years.

In 1994 the agreement was thought to capture the entire field and the anticipated termination of the agreement in 2008 was believed to be the full productive life of the field. Today, however, information gathered from prolonged production and advance technology demonstrates that the extent of the field should be redefined and expanded and the expiration date should be extended to capture the full productive capability of the field.

The National Energy Board has conducted an independent review of Imperial's assessments and has corroborated the conclusion that the oil field extends beyond the 1944 boundaries as well as the corporation's projections on the remaining production life beyond 2002.

The National Energy Board's technical assessment supported Imperial's view that effective reservoir management is best accomplished by expanding the existing proven area to include the fringe areas.

The current practice under the Canada Petroleum Resources Act to issue production rights involves a competitive bidding process, but the fringe areas of the field lying outside the proven area agreement are unlikely to be developed if removed from the context of the entire field. There is a risk, therefore, that if the current policy is adhered to sound management of the field would be compromised since the outlying reserves would be left in the ground and maximum recovery of the field would never be achieved.

The proposal to extend the agreement to ensure that full commercial production of the reserves is achieved is consistent with all the federal and provincial oil and gas legislation.

Given the special circumstances, the proposal to expand and extend the Norman Wells proven area agreement has been supported by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. The proposed Norman Wells amending agreement of 1944 has two components.

First, it marginally adjusts the boundaries of the proven area to capture the fringe areas so that the field is developed as a single entity and, second, it extends the term for as long as there is commercial production.

Production from this field is governed under the Norman Wells proven area agreement and therefore this unique agreement has always been excluded from the Canada Petroleum Resources Act. For this reason revisions to the agreement must also be referenced in the act.

Hon. members should be aware that the proposed changes to the proven area agreement have been reviewed according to the government's environmental assessment process for policy and program proposals. No significant environmental impacts were identified. Nevertheless further reviews will be carried out prior to the approval of the drilling program.

Following a period of restructuring and downsizing, Canada's oil patch is showing signs of a strong and sustained recovery. Exploration and drilling activity has increased significantly. Investor interest is also up. Last year, approximately $6 billion was invested in the Canadian petroleum industry.

In this time of resurgence, Bill C-25 will draw attention to the vast resources and the new opportunities for opening up in the north. Junior oil firms may find the north particularly appealing since these smaller firms can often develop projects that would not be profitable for the more major firms.

With the ongoing development of northern land claims, the affected aboriginal people have indicated a strong desire to participate in resource development projects. The territorial governments also welcome new resource development activity

because of the employment, tax revenues and new business opportunities generated.

With the right signal from Ottawa, northern Canada could become the focus of significant investor attention, exploration and development activity over the next two or three years. This House can send that signal by giving prompt approval to Bill C-25.

[National Forest Week, May 5th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the week of May 1 to May 7 marks this year's National Forest Week. Each year the Canadian Forestry Association bestows on a municipality the title of forestry capital of Canada.

I am proud to inform the House that the city of Edmonton was chosen as the 1994 forest capital. I am delighted that the people of Edmonton have been recognized for their commitment to promoting the contribution of urban and rural forests to the city's environment, economy and social development.

Edmonton is a green city, noted for having one of the largest urban parkland areas per capita in all North America. These forested areas are enjoyed by local residents and by numerous visitors. Edmonton is also the gateway to the huge northern forest lands of Alberta which are becoming increasingly important to the diversification of Alberta's economy and to Canada's forest sector as a whole.

Allow me to congratulate the people of Edmonton and all the forestry workers in my region whose contribution has made 1994 a memorable year for my city.

[The Economy, February 16th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to the attention of the House that the composite leading index rose by .08 in January, matching its revised growth rate for December. It is noteworthy that these gains are the highest since the index began its recovery in 1991.

An upward trend in the index points to better economic times ahead. Most economists expect stronger growth in 1994.

Statistics Canada reported that the leading indicator is heading in the right direction. The acceleration in recent months has been the result principally of a continental upturn and the buoyancy in the stock markets.

Manufacturing demands have been steady. New orders recorded a third straight increase despite the effect of temporary plant closings in the auto industry. At the same time, shipments to stocks ratio continue to improve, rising to the highest level since the data series began in early 1952.

The stockmarket soared to new all time records in January, accelerating from 1.6 per cent growth to 2.1 per cent growth at a time of falling interest rates.

[The Late Hon. Steven Paproski, January 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with the other members of this House to convey to the family of the late Hon. Steve Paproski not only my personal condolences but also those of the constituents of Edmonton North which is the riding he served faithfully during his long term of office.

I can think of no more fitting tribute to Steve Paproski than the number of friends who have paid their respects at his passing. They are not only those who were at the church service but also the people of Edmonton North who have mourned his loss.

I would also add that Steve Paproski was respected and loved by the staff of the House of Commons. To his family and friends I would say that we are honoured to have known him.