Thank you for that very important question.
The government continues to subsidize fossil fuel companies. Indeed, we see new demands for subsidies—for example, for carbon capture and storage. The letter is clear: The nation-building projects we propose, such as a clean energy grid coast to coast to coast, are not just to bring clean energy everywhere in this country; they're also to create new industries, to create a massive number of jobs connecting the grids and to dramatically reduce reliance on diesel, which is very expensive for our northern communities. If subsidies are needed, they should go to these kinds of forward-looking projects.
Personally—not speaking on behalf of Elbows Up—I have a great deal of difficulty accepting the fact that Canada's oil majors, who made $35 billion in profits in 2022 alone during COVID, should get further subsidies to do what's right for the environment, right for the people of Canada and right for the climate. They have the money. Innovative new ideas are the ones that need support, which should be where the government puts its money.