Citizenship and Immigration Committee on June 7th, 2017

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Were you aware of a Conference Board of Canada report commissioned to look at the economic analysis of the Energy East pipeline project? That report stated that more than 3,771 jobs would be created by this project for New Brunswick specifically, and, it looks like, close to a billion dollars in tax revenues created for New Brunswick. Were you aware of that report?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

I was not aware of that report specifically, but I'm aware of the potential impact of Energy East.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Excellent. In February of last year, there was a motion before the House that read:

given this time of economic uncertainty, the House: (a) recognize the importance of the energy sector to the Canadian economy and support its development in an environmentally sustainable way; (b) agree that pipelines are the safest way to transport oil; (c) acknowledge the desire for the Energy East pipeline expressed by the provincial governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and New Brunswick; and (d) express its support for the Energy East pipeline currently under consideration.

How did you vote on that motion?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

I did not vote for that motion. As you are aware right now, the Energy East project is being reviewed by the NEB. We've been very clear that our government supports getting our resources to tidewater, but we need to do it in a responsible way, and there was a process in place.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

If the NEB rules in favour of that project, will you support it?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

Yes.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

How do you feel about other pipeline projects such as the gateway project that was approved by the NEB yet politically overturned by the government?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

I think the government needs to make decisions on an individual basis in line with individual circumstances. Clearly, the Energy East project is one that potentially has more impact for Atlantic Canada, so that's the one I've focused on, but yes—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

So it's okay for the Energy East pipeline to be approved and go forward, but not the gateway project that was overturned by the government.

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

That's not what I said. What I said—or what I intended to say if I didn't make it clear—was that there is a process, and we respect the process. I respect the process. If that process deems that Energy East is a good project, and the recommendation is to go forward with it, then I would support the government in their decision to do so.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Would you support the government if they decided to overturn the project as they did with gateway?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

I think you've seen in the past that my colleagues and I, all 32 of us, would have an opportunity to talk with the government about the potential impacts you mentioned, and depending on the circumstances at that time, the government will make that decision.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

So the Atlantic Liberal caucus would support Energy East in spite of a cabinet decision to overturn it—

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

I can't speak for what will happen in the future. What I'm telling you is that I support the process that's under way now.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

That's a definite “I don't know” on 3,700 jobs.

I'll move on to a different report. Four of your colleagues wrote a report called the “Report of the Atlantic Growth Strategy Subcommittee on Innovation”, and in it they said:

Four to five months can be a lifetime for a business, especially for a startup. Following the approval of an application

—and this is in regard to ACOA—

finalizing the related contribution agreement may take anywhere from two to 12 months, further impeding a business’ opportunity to execute successfully.

In your opinion, is an ACOA minister from Mississauga the best way to overcome this particular impediment to economic growth in Atlantic Canada?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

With all due respect, Ms. Rempel, we are talking today about immigration. That is the area that I'm focused on, and I think we have seen disruption of this committee and the way the time for testimony has been used. I'd really like to focus on immigration today.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

I realize that you might be testy over this, but you did point out at the front end of your comments that you acknowledged there is a linkage between the retention of immigrants and economic growth. ACOA is a vehicle, supposedly, to see economic growth in Atlantic Canada. If your community and your colleagues are stating that the approvals process for ACOA grants is an impediment to economic growth, would you characterize the fact that the ACOA minister is now from Mississauga as an impediment to economic growth, and ergo, immigration retention?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

No, I wouldn't say that at all. Actually, I would like to clarify. I believe what the report said was that that was one of the pieces of feedback my colleagues heard during that report.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Actually, it's a determinative statement that I just quoted.

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

I don't believe it is.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

It actually says:

Four to five months can be a lifetime for a business, especially for a startup. Following the approval of an application, finalizing the related contribution agreement may take anywhere from two to 12 months, further impeding a business’ opportunity to execute successfully.

Would you like to clarify your statement?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

No, actually, what I would like to clarify is that ACOA has always been a vehicle for economic growth in Atlantic Canada, and I think it will remain very important in the future. As I mentioned in my—

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Do you support having an ACOA minister Mississauga, Ontario, and the delays that have been created as a result?

[Alaina Lockhart, Liberal, Fundy Royal, NB]

Actually, I'm not going to qualify that question because it's putting all kinds of words in my mouth.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Thank you. I turn it over to Mr. Tilson.