Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to revisit the comments I made at the start of the meeting.
We're going to be tabling our report on Tuesday, which I'm very pleased about, but I went back to some of the notes we had on the study we started on the greening of electricity in Canada. Some comments were made by Mr. Avrim Lazar during that testimony, and I just want to refer to one of them. He says:
Our intention is to become energy self-sufficient. Our intention is to export green energy to the communities where we work. So instead of sending expensive energy through long grid lines from some coal or nuclear plant in southern Ontario or southern Quebec, our plan is to work to the point where our mills generate not only enough energy to run the mill, but also to run to the nearby town and thereby have a more sustainable, affordable, and environmentally responsible approach to energy generation.
Another comment was made by Bill Marshall, president and CEO of New Brunswick System Operator. He talked about alternative energies, including tidal and wave as well as solar and others. He talked about all the opportunities in New Brunswick, saying:We have a number of opportunities for smaller biomass projects. Combining all those in the region, there is a potential to reduce fossil fuel emissions by up to about 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
I've looked at what we just finished, and we had a significant discussion on biomass as part of our report. We had a trip to Labrador, Churchill Falls, which was an interesting venture. I believe we've left some work undone. Recognizing our timelines, I think it's something we could finish up quickly.
I would propose the following:
Notwithstanding any motions previously adopted by the Committee, that the Standing Committee on Natural Resources finish its study on the greening of electricity in Canada with a focus on the future of renewable energy such as wind, solar, hydro, and other emerging renewable sources immediately following the study on the forest products industry.
I think, Mr. Chair, that would tie some of these things up in a nice little bundle. I'm not suggesting that we have a long report, not by any stretch of the imagination, but I think we could put together a nice crisp report with some recommendations in probably three or four meetings. There are probably some opportunities for us to actually have a visit to some renewable energy places, even in the area close to Ottawa.
I would like to propose that motion, Mr. Chair.