Thank you, Madam Chair. I first want to thank the clerk and his staff for convening the emergency meeting here today in Ottawa. I support our Conservative motion to get answers from the government on this crisis.
Let me start by saying that last week's decision by the Federal Court of Appeal to halt construction on the Trans Mountain pipeline project has sent shock waves throughout not only western Canada but this entire nation. Since that decision a little over a week ago, I would like to point out, Crescent Point Energy has slashed 17% of its workforce, including many indigenous workers.
I would like to point out that Suncor has announced that it will not start its scheduled expansion projects without clarity on pipelines. Needless to say, we have a crisis of confidence in this country and that says the CEO of Suncor and thousands and thousands of jobs in this country have been lost not only in Alberta and B.C. but throughout this country. It is this government's failure that has brought us here this morning to talk about the crisis. In May this government spent $4.5 billion buying an existing pipeline and they have committed between $7 billion and $9 billion more dollars on the expansion. This is taxpayers' money. This government should have done their homework, but we know they did not. There was no plan, only lip service to Canadians.
Let me say this. EVRAZ is a steel company in my province, Saskatchewan. They're headquartered in Regina. Over 10% of their workforce is indigenous. They were ready to supply the pipeline for this project. On Wednesday we had a meeting with them. There is great uncertainty in this community. In fact, I spoke with Mike Day, the president of the United Steelworkers, who said this has far-reaching effects not only in the city of Regina where EVRAZ is located, but all over Saskatchewan.
Well, Mike, I have news for you: this is bigger than this. This is major news in the country of Canada. This Liberal government has clearly failed all Canadians who were counting on employment and the prosperity that flows from this industry. It is the duty of this government to have a plan and regard for the purchase of their Trans Mountain pipeline, which they purchased in May.
Let me say this—and let's be clear—to the managers. The managers in this case are the government. The shareholders, Canadians, want a meeting. Canadians want to see a plan. Where is the plan? In the absence of a plan, we are left with major uncertainty in western Canada; lost opportunities; lack of investor confidence, which I talked about already, in the market; and a hefty tab for all Canadian taxpayers on top of an already mounting debt.
There was $4.5 billion committed in May, and $7 billion to $9 billion more, if not more, committed for the expansion if it ever happens. It is because of the mistakes and the incompetence of this Liberal government on this project that Conservatives are requesting this study here today. We support Canadians, Canadian workers, and Canadian jobs. Canadians have a right to know how Justin Trudeau, how Bill Morneau, and how the new minister, Amarjeet Sohi—from Alberta, I might add—plan to ensure the completion of this project and to know what the timeline is. Where are the shovels? When will they hit the dirt? When will construction begin? That is what workers, the hard-working men and women of this country, are asking today. When will we know that we have a future in this pipeline? When can we support our families? When can we support our communities?
Is that too much for them to ask here today? We're representing those people from coast to coast. Yes, I'm from Saskatchewan—I just told you about those in Regina—but western Canada right now is suffering.
This project has to go forward. That's why a comprehensive committee explanation is warranted. We want to get the answers. Let's face it: Canadians deserve an explanation. As I said, you're the managers—you bought the pipeline. You're the government; we're the shareholders, all Canadians. We want a meeting. Canadians want to see a plan. You have spent $4.5 billion. You have committed up to $9 billion more on the expansion. We deserve the plan.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.