We do not get in—
Evidence of meeting #74 for Natural Resources in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was question.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #74 for Natural Resources in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was question.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
4:15 p.m.
NDP
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Order, please, Mr. Nicholls.
You had made a comment, and the minister had indicated that he wanted to respond to it. Allow the minister to respond and then carry on with another question, Mr. Nicholls, if you would like.
Go ahead, please, Minister Oliver.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Joe Oliver Conservative Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
The government does not interfere with the operations of the National Energy Board. That's all I wanted to say.
4:15 p.m.
NDP
Jamie Nicholls NDP Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Well, you've put a two-year timeline for project reviews. How about a two-year timeline for compliance on safety issues? We've been waiting for Enbridge to come into compliance for two years now. What about a timeline for compliance, Minister?
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Joe Oliver Conservative Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Those are different issues. The National Energy Board has its responsibility for safety in respect to projects under its jurisdiction. Just as we don't interfere with the courts, we do not interfere with the National Energy Board in matters of this kind.
4:20 p.m.
NDP
Jamie Nicholls NDP Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Okay, but you've tightened the process of public consultation for the public. People now have to submit -page documents to participate in the public process, the public review, by the NEB.
Can you let us know what recourse Canadians, people in my riding, will have to share their views with the panel if they're not selected by the NEB to testify?
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Joe Oliver Conservative Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
The rules clearly state that any person who is directly affected by a proposed project must be heard, people who have relevant expertise may be heard by the panel, and the panel makes that determination. People in the first category have, I think it's about three pages to fill out. It's a very, very short form for them. That's a fact. I've looked at it. Those people who are directly impacted will be heard.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Thank you, Mr. Nicholls. Your time is up.
We'll go to Mr. Harris for up to five minutes, please, sir.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The House leader of the NDP has been acting as a champion of decorum in the House. I hope he's watching his TV monitor today. Maybe someday he'll drop in and see how some of his members display their decorum in the committees.
Mr. Minister, I promise you that I'll be respectful in my questions, as we all should.
I want to thank you for coming to what is widely known as the forest capital of the world, Prince George, in the interior of B.C. I know that when you were there, you talked to the best of the best of lumber sawmill operators, and you got a pretty darned good idea that we put to use leading-edge technology for processing our wood fibre in central B.C. That's because of the government's support of technology in forest products, in expanding the use of wood fibre and in providing the funding for the research and the innovation required to get that technology to market.
Speaking of markets, I do know that you're aware of the dramatic increase we've made in our offshore shipments to markets other than the continental U.S., in an attempt to make sure we don't get all our eggs in one basket ever again. You've seen the increases in China and the potential in India and other countries that will be big consumers of our wood.
Mr. Minister, the budget committed $92 million over two years to support this forest technology and innovation and also market development. I wonder if you could just give us a little indication of your understanding of the importance of these two crucial components to the health and expansion of the forest industry, and the economic benefits to it and ultimately to jobs and the economy of Canada.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Joe Oliver Conservative Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Thank you for your question.
Canada's forest sector is a very important driver in rural areas, and our government remains committed to supporting forest-based communities as they adapt to transforming the forest sector. We're going to continue to make significant investments in support of the forest industry and sustainable resource management. We're seeing the results of these investments right across Canada, as you mentioned.
I was in Prince George where I attended the annual Council of Forest Industries convention. While I was there, I announced investments in two important programs that will assist the transformation of the forest industry through innovation and market expansion. Let me very briefly explain those two programs and why they're so important.
Investment in forest industry transformation supports Canada's forest sector in becoming more economically competitive and environmentally sustainable, and doing that through targeted investments and innovative technologies. Included in the announcement was funding for five unique projects across western Canada, each representing a Canadian first, or in some cases a world-first application of new technology. These new, really exciting projects will showcase Canada's leadership in pioneering new products and new expertise for the benefit of our country's forestry sector and for the communities that depend on it.
The expanding market opportunities program was designed to help create the thriving sector by growing international markets, promoting Canadian forest products as an environmentally responsible choice, expanding wood use in North American non-residential and mid-rise construction, and demonstrating that Canada is a world leader in sustainable forest management and a preferred source of sustainable forest products. So the funding will make Canadian forest products even more attractive and viable in the global marketplace.
We recognize the challenges facing the forestry sector. We've taken action through the economic action plan, and we've taken unprecedented investments to renew the forestry sector, so the $92 million over two years is part of that. I'm proud our government continues to support the jobs of hard-working Canadians in rural Canada.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Thank you, Mr. Harris.
Finally, with the Minister, we go to Mr. Gravelle for up to five minutes, please.
April 16th, 2013 / 4:25 p.m.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Like Mr. Harris, I am hoping that Canadians are watching television to see the non-answers that we're getting from you, Minister.
I have a very specific question for you and I want you to translate this advice to Canadians on how to participate in public consultation on Line 9. I'm going to quote from a government document:
Before you continue with this form, refer to the Board's Guidance Document on Section 55.2 and Participation in a Facilities Hearing attached to the Hearing Order OH-002-2013 as Appendix VI, and again as Appendix III of Procedural Update No. 1 for OH-002-2013.
Can you translate that for me?
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Joe Oliver Conservative Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
The point is that one can fill out the form. It's multiple choice in most parts. If one is a person directly affected, you don't need to make reference. You just fill out the form—
4:25 p.m.
Conservative