Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thanks to all the witnesses who have joined us today. I've really enjoyed what you've had to say, but I have some deeply concerning questions. I want to preface my questions with my experience.
I really want to thank my colleague, the previous speaker, who really outlined the seriousness of the issues present to Canada, particularly with our economy as we contemplate massive amounts of money to bail out these companies, particularly the companies Ms. Joseph represents, which I've had experience with. I used to work for many of those companies, actually. I come from the Cold Lake oil sands. I worked in the oil sands. I want to talk to you a little bit about the companies that are asking for partnership with Canada and about how they've treated my community.
I am originally from the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, which is an indigenous community that is currently still asking those oil companies to pay their taxes, just like many rural municipalities in Alberta right now. The president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta association said that there are $253 million of unpaid taxes owed to rural communities in Alberta. These communities are predominantly indigenous and they need that money. They need to be able to pay for roads, services and basic things, but these companies are putting that debt—that unpaid tax burden—on regular, everyday people. It's killing communities.
I want to go further. These projects don't kill only communities. They affect families. I want to thank the witness from Iron and Earth for talking about families and workers. My father and I were energy workers. My father died on an energy site. Do you know what CNRL said? They said to take a hike. That is workers today.
Now they're asking for a partnership with the government. Since when do we partner with criminals?
It's absolutely unfair to the men and the women who work in these communities and to their families to be shackled to companies that don't want to pay their fair share, pay for their communities or pay for the basic programs and benefits that every worker deserves.
That's partly why I'm here today. It's to talk about that. This is a study on fairness and on equality. We've only talked about handing out money here. What about the families who need that money?
Ms. Joseph, these companies have made billions. The previous speaker mentioned $3.3 billion and still they want money. These companies aren't even paying their taxes. They're paying shareholders with that money. These are not good partnerships.
Ms. Joseph, when it comes to making sure that these communities have what they need, will you communicate to those members of your association to pay their fair share in Alberta? People aren't getting ahead. Are they going to pay their taxes?