Finance Committee on Oct. 19th, 2011

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

No, just generally. Would it be fair to say universities—

[Dr. Alain Beaudet]

Universities.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

—and colleges, predominantly 95%—

[Dr. Alain Beaudet]

Mainly universities. In the health sector, it's slightly different: 80% of it is actually in hospitals, but hospitals that are affiliated with universities.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Universities, primarily with their partnerships.

[Dr. Alain Beaudet]

Absolutely.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

When you consider the research and development investment by the government, did you consider as well the $2 billion over two years of the knowledge infrastructure program?

[Dr. Alain Beaudet]

Totally.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

You've applied—

[Dr. Alain Beaudet]

I was taking that into account. I'm talking about the investments, globally.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

You included that in your calculation to suggest it wasn't sufficient? My understanding is that research and development is steadily increasing.

[Dr. Alain Beaudet]

It is steadily increasing, and that's what I'm saying.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Along with the 6% consistent increase in health care funding, and the research and development and the knowledge infrastructure program, you're very happy with what our government has done for research and development, generally, over the last four years. Is that fair?

[Dr. Alain Beaudet]

Absolutely, and we believe it's important to keep up the good work.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Absolutely. Thank you very much.

Mr. Fried, I'm so glad you mentioned life cycle in the oil business, because I'm from Fort McMurray and I watched all of these naysayers for years not talk about life cycles, and I want to talk about that a little bit.

Of course, shipping fuel is used to transport oil back and forth from third world or developed countries, and other countries—Saudi Arabia, etc. A lot of people don't consider the fact that there is a life cycle to oil, from the start to the finish. Indeed, I have seen many calculations indicate that the oil sands oil is within 1% to 3% of total life cycle oil from conventional oil sources, such as Saudi Arabia.

I'm wondering if your corporation has taken a position in relation to Venezuelan crude, which has to use shipping and is actually much more carbon intense than the oil sands oil, and also the California crude, which is also much more carbon intense. I wonder if you've taken a considered approach on those two suppliers of oil.

[Mark Fried]

Certainly not. We're an international development organization. Our concern is poverty, and climate change has an impact on poverty.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

You've approached Canada in relation to greenhouse gases. I specifically checked your website, and there's no mention whatsoever in relation to California crude and Venezuelan crude, which obviously are much more carbon intense than anything that we do in Canada, and frankly there are different employment obligations and different ethical considerations with their workers and the people around it.

I'm curious as to why Oxfam did something in relation to Canada and not in relation to two sources of oil that are much more carbon intense. But I'll leave that for now.

[Mark Fried]

I would like to answer the question.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Sure, please, go ahead.

[Mark Fried]

We are Canadians, and we believe we have a responsibility to speak up for Canadian society—

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Absolutely.

[Mark Fried]

We are one of the top ten emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. We have to do something about it.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Now, when you say—

[Mark Fried]

It's up to you. I leave it in your hands. You're the experts as to what should be done.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I agree 100%, but when you say top ten, though, you mean per person, do you not?