This is my time. I'm sorry, Ms. Joseph.
These companies need to demonstrate that they are good fiscal partners. These communities are suffering from massive infrastructure deficits.
I was a national director for the Métis Settlements in northern Alberta when the Chuckegg Creek wildfire went through. Almost every asset in that community that was met was at risk. We lost 15 houses. Do you know what the companies operating in that community went to defend first? Their oil assets, not the communities.
We're talking about the public dollar, the use of fairness and the use of equity in this study. We need to consider the fact that these companies have not paid their fair share and have allowed workers, families and rural municipalities to literally pay the price. That $253 million could have gone to people who are struggling right now, and we can't even get a clear answer for whether they're going to pay their taxes.
How is that equitable? How is that a future for Canadians?
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.