Natural Resources Committee on Nov. 24th, 2025

[Jeff Labonté]

As part of the normal practice in the public service, if there's a conflict of interest screen related to a specific individual, that's put into the information set.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I guess the question is this: For any projects that have been announced so far, has anyone been screened from seeing any of the projects or decisions?

[Jeff Labonté]

I can't speak specifically to any of the projects, but I'll just say that where a screen is necessary with specific individuals, it's put into place for the projects if they are the ones impacted by the screen. The screens exist for different individuals at different levels. I'm sure you know what it's like. You have the same responsibilities under the Conflict of Interest Act.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Absolutely.

I'll get specific—the Ksi Lisims project. Was that project put through the process, allowing everyone who has to see that information, including the Prime Minister's Office and the Prime Minister, to observe that information?

[Jeff Labonté]

To my knowledge, the projects were screened and assessed by officials working across departments. That information fed into the Build Canada committee, where it was discussed amongst—

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

It is not subject to any ethical screen in the Prime Minister's Office, to your knowledge?

[Jeff Labonté]

I don't actually manage the screen in the Prime Minister's Office, so—

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Well, I know, but you would know if one exists, because you need to know who not to speak to.

[Jeff Labonté]

There is an individual who manages that process in the Privy Council Office. I think that is the right place. That person determines whether or not the project fits in and out, or anything for that matter—

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I guess I'm just asking for confirmation that this project is not, in your view or to your knowledge, subject to the screen.

[Jeff Labonté]

I don't have any further knowledge about this particular project.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Okay, that's helpful.

In that way, I guess it would appear, even with your own department and with your own minister, that none of these projects gave rise to a conflict of interest with him either. Is that correct?

[Jeff Labonté]

That's correct.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Okay.

I'll follow up on the same line of questioning I had with the minister on what we call the tanker ban. My understanding is that there are discussions under way with the province, as identified by the minister. Some of you may even be aware of these conversations. Is the tanker ban on the table as part of the negotiations?

[Jeff Labonté]

I'm afraid we can't really speak to what is on or off the table with respect to the negotiations with Alberta or any other province.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Okay.

If oil were to get to the west coast, how would it leave? It doesn't teleport.

[Jeff Labonté]

Well, in fact, oil leaves from the west coast today through the Trans Mountain project.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Would you have more or would you allow more...?

[Jeff Labonté]

Through the Trans Mountain project, it leaves the Westridge facility in Burnaby, British Columbia. It leaves the west coast—

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Would you allow increased traffic?

[Jeff Labonté]

It's not for me to allow. The project in British Columbia that's operating today exports oil off the Burnaby Westridge—

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Hypothetically, you would be able to exempt something from the tanker ban.

[Jeff Labonté]

I'm not sure we really speak to hypothetical projects.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

That's fair enough.

I noticed the minister on the question of oil demand peaking.... Does Natural Resources Canada have a view on whether global oil demand has peaked? I assume you have a view.

[Michael Vandergrift, Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources]

We follow those studies very closely. We noticed with great interest the IEA's report and, as the minister noted, the revised scenarios that are there. Those scenarios inform the work we do.