Thank you, Mr. Minister, for staying on a little longer in our committee. We don't see you very often, and so we would like to take advantage of your presence.
With all due respect, I found your reply somewhat simplistic, when you tossed the issue of the accelerated capital cost allowance tax incentives into the Minister of Finance's court. That's too easy. I expected a Minister of Natural Resources to influence the Minister of Finance in order to promote the renewable energy file and convince him that he could recover the funds. Normally, a Minister of Finance likes to recover poorly used funds. In the case of this tax incentive, it is obvious that the oil and gas industries that harness the oil sands no longer need this incentive. Various witnesses have told us that the oil and gas industries would not stop operating and investing if this incentive were removed. You're not very convincing, Mr. Minister, when you reply that it is none of your business and that you will send my regards to the Minister of Finance. On the contrary, I think that it is your job to demonstrate your leadership and convince him to recover these amounts.
Furthermore, you say that wind energy is important. You also state that you cannot make any announcement and that it is not your fault. You also claim that you cannot give us any indication on the possible continuation of the WPPI program.
Can you explain why you cut the Renewable Power Production Incentive, when this announcement had created very specific expectations in the industry, which was counting on this contribution to launch cogeneration projects, for example?
I think there is a difference between your wishes and your priorities, and the importance you are giving it in your budget. As a new member of Parliament, I am somewhat surprised, Mr. Minister, by the lack of coherence between your wishes and your desires and the money you are earmarking in various programs and in the budget.