Thank you, Chair.
I don't mean to delay the issue at hand today any longer than absolutely necessary. I'd like to welcome Ms. Bennett to the committee today. Her presence obviously indicates the absence of our previous Liberal critic, who made some regrettable comments and has subsequently resigned his position from this committee.
As an Albertan and as the only Albertan on this committee—notwithstanding your excellent chairmanship of this committee as a member of Parliament from Alberta—I was deeply offended to a certain degree, but also discouraged, by the nature of the comments that were made. As an Albertan, I am seized with all of the issues that affect my province and my constituents, whether it's reducing taxes, keeping economic growth and activity growing for our economy, or whether it's dealing with veterans' issues, defence issues, or what have you, as are all members of Parliament who are seized with these issues at the national level.
But it seemed to me that the comments were so stark and so jaded towards a particular sector of our economy.... I think all members of this particular committee understand the true value of that particular industry. Of course, this being the committee that would have a lot of interest in exploring that, I think that for the edification or re-edification of some committee members, to make sure that such comments aren't made again, I just want to advise members of the committee that it's very likely that I'll be bringing a motion forward in the very near future that this committee study and understand the economic benefits and impacts on the broader economy in general of our oil and gas sector, in particular the oil sands in Alberta and Saskatchewan. I'm just letting folks know that.
I welcome Ms. Bennett today and look forward to her positive and constructive comments. I know that we're going to have a permanent assignment of a different critic. I don't believe that it's going to be Ms. Bennett, but I'm looking forward to having a discussion and debate so we can make sure we don't have these kinds of unfortunate comments made by members—particularly members who should know better, who sit on this kind of committee—about a particular sector of our economy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.