Thank you and good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to present today.
I'll introduce myself. I'm Rose Paul, and I am the CEO and president of the Bayside Development Corporation, which is the business arm of the Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation.
Today, I'm sitting here to express my support for the economic development renewables project in Mi'kmaq territory. I am referring, of course, to the project that we are partnering and working on with EverWind Fuels. We're working on and partnering on bringing this to life in Nova Scotia.
As first nations partners in developing this project, we are putting our nation at the centre of what we believe are the great clean energy projects in the world, especially and certainly here in Canada.
As indigenous partners, we have developed much-needed opportunities for this project right in our backyards. It's really a true path to reconciliation. This is a prime example of ensuring that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. This is a very important part for our first nations as we contribute to the clean, net-zero plans here in Canada. In fact, our partnership and our Mi'kmaq partnerships are actively trail-blazing to advance the net-zero goals of the federal government as a solid display of indigenous growth in the energy economy.
As a Mi'kmaq matriarch and a business leader standing here today with a voice before the Standing Committee on Finance, it is an honour and a privilege to display strength in partnering and developing these relationships that are so key right now to economic reconciliation. This project with EverWind gives us an opportunity to have a strong voice for first nations and to occupy a space that we have never occupied before.
Before closing, Mr. Chair and honourable members, in my Mi'kmaq language, wela'lioq. Thank you for giving me this time together with you to allow me to carry the voice of my community to you as we move past measures needed for these projects to succeed. Specifically, I would be remiss if I didn't urge you to acknowledge the importance of indigenous involvement and to support partnerships in these projects by allowing our indigenous entities, not just taxable corporations, to fully participate in investment tax credits.
I bring this question. Why does corporate Canada get 30% ITCs while first nations get 15%?
We know that global investors can go anywhere. However, we want them to choose Canada—preferably here in Nova Scotia. Putting in the right tax initiatives and supports will quickly help us ensure that Canada is the global leader in this quickly emerging energy sector. Moreover, we can show the world that with the right approach and by working together, social licence is truly possible here. We are witness to that.
In closing, I will reiterate that we support all efforts that the federal government will provide to help projects like ours move quickly. Our communities are counting on these projects, as are all Canadians.
In respect of treaty obligations, aboriginal and friendship, wela'lioq, thank you and merci beaucoup.
I will be happy to answer any questions the committee members may have.