Natural Resources Committee on Nov. 4th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

Thank you, Mr. Patzer.

Members—

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

To add to his point of order, we're all doing a job here for debate, and—

[The Chair, Liberal, George Chahal]

Thank you, Mrs. Stubbs and Mr. Patzer for the point of order.

We are doing our jobs. Mr. Angus is waiting patiently so he can do his job. I will ask colleagues to not be disruptive. Let's focus on the committee meeting that we have today with the ministers.

I'm going to you, Mr. Angus. You have six minutes.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you, Ministers.

I have a simple question, Ms. Freeland.

Do you believe there's a direct connection between increased fossil fuel burning and the climate catastrophe?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Of course.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Oh, good. Everybody I've asked who supports TMX says there isn't, so I wanted to know where the buck stops on this.

I remember when the Prime Minister went to Paris. He made legally binding commitments. He said “Canada is back", and since then oil production in Canada has increased 41%. Thanks to TMX, Cenovus production will increase from 800,000 barrels a day to 950,000 barrels a day. Heavy bitumen is going to increase by 500,000 barrels a day.

I noticed that you mentioned all the positive things, but you didn't mention climate. Do you think all of this increased oil production is going to have an impact on the climate?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Angus, with total sincerity, I respect you so much and the work you've done for many—

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

That's not the question.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

I know that, but—

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I don't care whether you respect me or not.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Well, I care.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Do you think this increased fossil fuel burning is going to have an impact, yes or no?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

I care, and here's what I want to say. We can have a climate plan and an economic plan that go together. We can have a plan for working people and good jobs in Canada and for energy security and for climate at the same time.

I want to quote one of your colleagues, Heather McPherson, whom I also respect. She said, “The NDP has always been the party that supports the working class”.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Absolutely.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

She also said, “we will always make sure that we don't leave the workers behind.... One of the things we've learned is, if we don't balance protecting the climate and protecting Alberta workers, you don't get buy-in.”

I agree with that.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I would love to have a Heather McPherson here in your position, but she's not.

My question is this: Do you believe there is a connection between this increase that's happened under the Prime Minister and the climate crisis, yes or no? That's all. I don't need all the other stuff.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

No, the reality actually is that our government has bent the curve for the first time, and we are simultaneously having economic growth and emissions going down.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Yes, but not in the oil sector.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

That is a huge accomplishment. It is an accomplishment that all sectors need to contribute to, and they are.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Okay. Thank you for that.

The number one thing you said was the fair market value, that we've closed the barrel differential to $12. Yet we're subsidizing, according to the Energy Regulator, $13 a barrel that comes down the pipe. How does that work?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

I'm glad you talked about the price differential. I'm going to quote another great NDP woman—

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I'm actually asking about our subsidizing.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

—and that's Rachel Notley.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I don't care about the differential.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

I hope you care what Rachel Notley has to say.