I find it interesting that a lot of people want to discuss this motion.
I agree with Mr. Simard. My motion is quite simple. I don't usually say much about this kind of motion, but I asked for more time for this one because things are a little different.
There aren't usually a lot of issues with the supplementary estimates (B), which the House typically deals with quickly in terms of the debate and the vote. Now, however, we don't know what's going to happen. The Conservatives' privilege motion is taking up an enormous amount of time, and everything is moving at a snail's pace in the House.
I want to thank Mr. Simard for his question. Things are different because of what is going on in the House of Commons. Usually, things happen fast. We know we'll be voting on the supplementary estimates (B) and that all government projects will get the funding they need. This time, things are different. That's why it's so important to get the minister here and give him an opportunity to explain why the funds are needed and what will happen if that money doesn't flow.
I see that these supplementary estimates (B) include credits for critical minerals. All members of the committee have clearly explained the importance of these critical minerals. It's important for the government, for communities and for the economy. It's also important for the technologies we need to have a clean economy. It's also important to have sustainable jobs in this sector.
I live in Ontario and represent an Ontario riding, and we hear a lot of talk about manufacturers producing electric cars and batteries. To do that, we need critical minerals.
There are also clean electricity measures. Regulations have already been proposed for that, and the supplementary estimates (B) contain funding that will help communities acquire more reliable and affordable clean electricity sources. This is very important. We just finished a study on that. That's why we really need to hear what the minister can tell us about how the funding in supplementary estimates (B) will help us build a more sustainable, reliable and clean electricity system. Those are two reasons to invite the minister.
There's another reason why it's very important for us to hear from the minister: The supplementary estimates (B) contain funding to support the creation of sustainable jobs. This committee spent many evenings working on the sustainable jobs bill. Mr. Falk is saying it wasn't that many evenings. He may be right, but we certainly spent many hours working on it.
The supplementary estimates (B) also include funding to create a sustainable jobs secretariat. I wonder how we can move forward without that. The bill was passed and enacted, but we now have to put all the elements together to keep doing this work. That's why I think it's so important.
It's a chance for me to emphasize that what we've been witnessing in the House of Commons is very frustrating. It's very frustrating to see that we can't move quickly on supplementary estimates (B). I would very much ask that all of the members around this table bring the minister here to answer all those questions and to talk to us about supplementary estimates (B).
Maybe I can also take it as a moment to encourage everyone around this table to go back and ask that we find a way to break the impasse in the House of Commons, because it's not serving our communities and it's not serving what we're trying to do.