Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, Canada is an energy rich nation, yet eastern Canadian refineries import 86% of their oil from countries like Saudi Arabia, a regime where people are sentenced to beheading for political dissent, where women are not legally able to drive; and Nigeria, where rampant corruption has led to targeted oil bombings and irreversible environmental devastation.

Mount Renshaw Avalanche  Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to the five Alberta men whose lives were tragically cut short while on a snowmobile trip last week. Vince Loewen of Vegreville and Lakeland, Tony Greenwood of Grand Prairie County, Ricky Robinson of Spruce Grove, Todd Chisholm of St.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is all about political interference on pipelines. Canadians need a real leader and a government that represents all of us. Creating jobs and growth is not the priority when the government fails to support energy east and Canada's world-leading energy development.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, as members of the House, our chief responsibility is to represent our constituents first and foremost. Yet, as Alberta loses tens of thousands of jobs, Alberta Liberal MPs remain silent on a shovel-ready, job-creating infrastructure project. The regulatory changes the government plans will only add red tape, time and cost, and delay critical infrastructure.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, Canada is a leader among energy-rich nations, the fifth-largest oil producer in the world, producing 3.6 million barrels of oil per day. Yet, eastern Canadian refineries import an astounding 86% of their oil due to the lack of infrastructure. Energy east is an immediate shovel-ready solution to this problem.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, we keep hearing Liberal platitudes and empty promises about job losses in Canada. Let us not forget that 100,000 people have lost their jobs. Albertans have not experienced this kind of unemployment since the 1980s, when Prime Minister Trudeau introduced the NEP. When will the Minister of Natural Resources and his colleagues actually come up with a plan to support our energy sector and the workers who lost their jobs?

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, while the government dithers, the crisis worsens. People and businesses in Lakeland and Alberta are struggling. It is rippling through all sectors and across Canada. Alberta, from singlehandedly creating more than half the nation's jobs in 2011 as Canada's long-time economic engine, lost 100,000 jobs in the past year and is expected to lose 27,000 more in 2016.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I thank the member for sharing his comments and his perspective. Does he, therefore, favour the regulatory application approval and enforcement process in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia over Canada's? If he does support the government's intended application of GHG emissions in the regulatory process for pipelines—although there are no specifics around that, and pipelines do not emit greenhouse gases—does he also intend to urge the government to do an evidence-based comparative analysis on the other methods of transporting petroleum products?

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, we are asking the federal Liberal government to recognize the importance of the energy east pipeline for its potential in enhancing our domestic energy security and access to diverse international markets. There is not a conflict for any member in the House to say boldly that this is a step we need to take for the long-term sustainability and future of our country.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, my constituents have always valued their role in providing prosperity and support for all of Canada, and they would like to continue to do so. We know that Canada's regulatory system in energy development is world renowned. We should fight for this project, for Canadian jobs, and for Canadian products.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the member's comments. This is something that ties us together, because the start of the energy east pipeline would start within about one hour of the southern border of Lakeland in the riding of my colleague, the member for Battle River—Crowfoot. The concern of people who are suffering job losses in the energy sector is that this is a crisis.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I am sharing my time today with the hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent, which is an honour in itself for me. As a life-long Albertan, I am proud of our world-leading energy sector. Alberta has long played an important role in Canada's economy and has attracted thousands of Canadians to pursue opportunities for themselves and for their families.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, the government's position on job losses in Alberta is pathetic. The most the Minister of Finance could say when he visited Calgary recently was that he had a heightened sense of concern about Albertans losing their jobs. Yesterday, the Minister of Veterans Affairs said that Calgarians were “refreshed” with his government's direction.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister was wrong when he said his government was working hard to create jobs. There is one important nation building project that will create thousands of much needed, well-paying jobs across Canada. It is energy east. While the government ponders vague regulatory changes, hundreds of thousands of Canadians ponder how they will pay their bills this month.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, Alberta attracts people from all across Canada to pursue opportunities for themselves and for their families, but hard-working Albertans are hit by this energy sector downturn the worst, including thousands of people in Lakeland. On this side, we know that impacts all sectors and all Canadians.