Finance Committee on Oct. 24th, 2012

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

And who do you lobby on behalf of?

[Steven Staples]

The Rideau Institute is an NGO unto itself, so we are not a charity, and we do advocacy work for ourselves. So I am an in-house lobbyist for the Rideau Institute. I'm also a consultant lobbyist for other organizations. We recently registered for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union and the Nobel women's organization, which represents Nobel Peace Prize winners. It's mostly non-profit organizations and trade unions.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Okay, thank you.

Mr. Scholz, it's important to have a competitive tax system, and Canada is recognized around the world as having a very competitive tax system. That's why we're ranking number one out of G-8 countries in terms of economic performance. Our corporate tax rate is 15%. I'm really hoping you can help the people across the way here understand that an increase in taxes would lead to less investment and fewer jobs in our country. Could you please explain, as a spokesperson for your industry, what higher taxes would mean for investment and job growth and economic prosperity for Canada?

[Mark Scholz]

Sure. Thanks, Mr. Adler, for the question.

Certainly, what I will say is that we have to look at this as an overall competitive equation here. Corporate taxes are important, along with personal taxes, royalties, and fuel taxes. All of these issues add up to an overall investment decision for capital. When the formula makes sense for an investor to put money towards developing an oil and gas well, we go to work. When the formula doesn't work out and they say, look, compared to other jurisdictions, maybe it's better to invest in Texas or Alaska.... There's a multitude of other jurisdictions where the capital is moving. Certainly, we want to be the jurisdiction that attracts that needed capital where we can put people to work.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Lower taxes are a key factor in that, correct?

[Mark Scholz]

I would say, from a competitiveness standpoint, it's a huge benefit for our industry, for representing tens of thousands of workers, that we go to work when investors see a competitive tax climate in the country.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Thank you.

Would you consider the oil sands to be a disease, as the NDP says it is?

[Mark Scholz]

I do not consider the oil sands to be a disease. I see it as an opportunity for all Canadians. If we can do it in an environmentally and sustainable way, I think all Canadians, from coast to coast, can benefit from that tremendous resource.

In our industry alone, we do a lot of SAGD operations in the oil sands. In fact, we employ Canadians right across this country.

We were at a reception the other day where I was showing a picture of a rig crew. The derrickhand was from St. John's, Newfoundland, our motorhand was from Quebec, and our driller was from Alberta. I think it is just a statement that says the oil and gas industry is a tremendous opportunity for all Canadians and we all benefit from that.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Thank you. That's well said, and I hope my friends across the way have learned something today.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

You have one minute.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Thank you very much, Chair.

I have a question for you, Mr. Scholz. I'm going to ask a couple of the others the same question.

Knowing that you were going to be here today, do you remember if any one of your members...? How many members do you have?

[Mark Scholz]

We have 45 drilling rig contractors and 76 services we're contracting out.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Did any one of those say to you, “Please, Mr. Scholz, when you appear before the finance committee of the House of Commons today, we want you to tell them that we are in favour of a $21 billion carbon tax that the NDP is proposing?” Did any one of those ask you to do that here today?

[Mark Scholz]

No.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Thank you.

Ms. Amsden, how many members do you have?

[Barbara Amsden]

We have 170.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Did any one of those ask you to advocate for a $21 billion carbon tax today, as contained within the NDP platform?

[Barbara Amsden]

There were no comments on that subject.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Thank you very much.

[Robert Chisholm, NDP, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Why would they? It's not true.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Check page 4 of your platform, sir.

Am I out of time?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

You have five seconds.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Okay, that's fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you, Mr. Adler.

We'll go to Mr. Marston, please.

[Wayne Marston, NDP, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to apologize to our guests here today. You come to this place expecting a level of debate that's commensurate with the work that you've put into it and you have to listen to the politicking from the other side. It's beyond belief.

Mr. Staples, as a lobbyist—because this point was raised, and it's a fair point to raise—quite often you're actually seeking better legislation and not necessarily seeking money. The implication was that lobbyists are all out there to gain money. Is that a fair view?