—after eight years.
I think it's important to note we could have been in a position to be able to do this if it would have been prioritized, but it definitely wasn't.
That's why I think this motion is important. It's a way for us to signal that the natural resources committee actually does care about resource development and that we do support what the private sector can do and should be doing in this country. I think we have a golden opportunity to send a signal here together as a committee that Canada does support LNG and that there is a case for it, and the House of Commons would recognize that. I think our committee should be taking this motion seriously and be looking to pass that along.
I touched on a few very important points, such as human rights, such as the moral case that Canadian energy can and should play around the world, but also there's the business case as well. We like to talk a lot about the social programs we have here in the country. One of the best ways to fund them is through development of our natural resource sector. We definitely know the benefits the oil and gas sector has provided to this country in terms of taxation and royalties so that people are able to have these valued social programs, both on a big scale and a small scale.
On a small scale, for example, an energy company, an oil and gas company, was sponsoring an event at one of the local curling clubs so that kids could have their curling fees paid so they could enjoy and learn a new sport. That's coming from an oil and gas company. It's just a small token item, but it's an important one. If we look at our community rinks, our community buildings, our schools, our hospitals, our long-term care centres, we see that some of the major funding partners are oil and gas companies.