Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks to all of you for being here.
Let me just start my comments by saying that as a member of Parliament from northern Alberta who represents a riding where the livelihood of the people in the community depends on Alberta's world-leading responsible oil and gas, heavy oil, and oil sands development, I am keenly attentive and very sensitive to the comments that have been made here today about the impact of maybe less-than-fact-based, small, well-organized groups, and the damage they can do to the public confidence in an industry on a number of fronts, relating to everything to do with regulation standards, exploration, production, and transportation of certain projects.
I look forward to my government colleagues, who have spoken so passionately here today and consistently on other opportunities about nuclear, joining me over the next couple of years in the same sort of fact-based advocacy campaign for Alberta and Canada's world-leading responsible oil and gas, heavy oil, and oil sands development, just as we will all join together in the advocacy for the nuclear industry and the important role it will play in the broad spectrum of Canada's responsible energy development well into the future.
I would just like to focus on a couple of comments you made, Mr. Binder, and some quotes in your opening remarks. I also want to recognize the value and highlight the importance of your comments about the regulatory process and measures most importantly being flexible so that they don't act as a roadblock to innovation and investment in development, your comments on the importance of predictability and timelines, and also your point about regulations being clear and flexible enough to address current and future requirements. I think those are probably best practices in an approach to regulatory framework that should be advocated and should apply to all the sources of energy development, exploration, production, and transportation right across Canada.
I just want to start by inviting any or all of you to comment specifically on any particular fiscal measures or other public policy measures governments could take that would help facilitate continued innovation and investment in your sector. On the other hand, which I think might be just as important, would you like to highlight any red flags, roadblocks, or measures you think would be unhelpful and that could stifle or hamper innovation or investment?
Do any of you have any other comments or specific items in addition to your recommendation of a nuclear innovation council that you would like the committee and Canadians to know about? What sets Canada apart in terms of our global position and achievements in your sector?