Evidence of meeting #13 for Natural Resources in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was products.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Corey Hogan Liberal Calgary Confederation, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I also want to thank all the witnesses for their testimony.
We touched upon many subjects today, and this is now the last five-minute round.
Would you like to add anything that has not been mentioned yet, Mr. Cormier?
Special advisor to the President, Groupe Rémabec
Can I talk about the caribou?
Special advisor to the President, Groupe Rémabec
The species at risk issue is fundamental. It really needs to be addressed.
I recognize that there are federal and provincial jurisdictions. However, the most important thing is to always maintain dialogue.
This discussion must be ongoing and apolitical. The uncertainty that currently exists due to the perfect storm in forestry is related to land access. We must clearly recognize that there are endangered species. This is not just about the caribou, but other species too.
There must be more clarity regarding protected areas, the management of protected areas, and the classification of protected areas. Canada has international obligations.
We want to have certified products. Therefore, this dialogue between the federal and provincial governments must be ongoing and transparent. Investors in the proposed new economy need to know which parts of the area are accessible and what supplies are needed.
We need to generate an appetite for investing in a system that will allow us to decarbonize the country. That is fundamental. Let's develop a shared vision for our national treasure of 300 million hectares of forest, which we must take care of.
Since I have the opportunity, I would like to add something that has not been mentioned, namely the fact that we cannot do this without consulting first nations. This is fundamental. They must be part of the discussion in order to achieve the common vision needed to continue developing our regions and decarbonizing our country. We are talking about 210,000 direct jobs in forestry in Canada and 57,000 direct jobs in Quebec.
I agree with Mr. St‑Gelais. Let's foster pride in being foresters in Canada.
President, Boisaco Inc.
I agree with Mr. Cormier.
This vision must be developed. To do so, we must be able to take stock of the real situation. It is important to work together to develop an inclusive, rather than exclusive, vision. This will prevent a return to situations where some people do not identify with the various approaches taken by the provinces.
We have always said that the solution lies in consultation. All parties must therefore be able to sit down together and, above all, agree on a vision for the future.
This is key to the future of the forestry sector and, above all, the future of many forestry communities. It is very important to understand that the forestry industry is located in all forestry communities.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Duguid
Thank you. That's a great place to end, at a common vision for the future.
Colleagues, these have been two excellent panels. We've learned a lot.
I would say that the level of enthusiasm with this panel was very high. We thank them for that.
Mr. McKinnon.
Liberal
Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
I want to make sure that we remind our guests to submit a brief. I think they have more to say.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Duguid
Yes, that's a great suggestion.
Colleagues, just as we leave, I have a couple of friendly reminders.
Thank you to our witnesses. We really appreciate you for being with us today.
The recommendations for the report on critical minerals are due this Friday, November 21, at 5:00 p.m. Be sure to send them to the clerk before that time. We will do the drafting instructions on the forestry study at the meeting after the study is over, probably around December 4. Finally, I propose to set the deadline for the witness list for the energy sector study to Friday, December 5, at 5:00 p.m. Please send your lists to the clerk before that date.
Colleagues, if I just could say as we close, this is the clerk, Geneviève's, final meeting. I think you'll agree with....
Oh. It's not your final meeting.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Duguid
I thought this was the last meeting. Okay. Well, I just fired her.
You're fired.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Terry Duguid
No, you're not fired.
Anyway, I think you'll agree the clerk's been doing a great job. I thought it was after today. I apologize. We'll have Geneviève with us for a few more meetings.
With that, colleagues, it's the will of the committee to adjourn. We'll see you in the House in about an hour.