Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the standing committee on behalf of the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors.
The study of Canadian energy exports is critically important for our country's future. As we navigate global energy demands and market diversification, energy exports represent not just economic opportunities but a pathway to secure jobs, thriving economies and Canada's role as a responsible energy leader.
In light of escalating tensions in the Middle East, Canadian energy is essential to bolstering global supply chains, supporting our allies and realizing Canada's potential as a reliable middle power on the world stage.
Our association represents over 100 drilling rig, service rig and oil sands mine drilling rig companies operating a fleet of 336 land drilling rigs and 667 service rigs across northeast British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, southwest Manitoba, Ontario and offshore Newfoundland.
Our members are diverse: big, small and medium-sized enterprises that create opportunities for young people, indigenous communities and middle-class workers. They employ thousands of people in rural, remote and indigenous communities, securing subsurface resources that fuel local economies while advancing both traditional oil and gas and emerging sectors like lithium for EV batteries, helium for medical and nuclear applications, geothermal energy, hydrogen, potash and storage for carbon dioxide.
The drilling and service rig sector is the backbone of Canada's energy workforce. Our recent analysis shows that one operating drilling rig and service rig creates 317 full-time equivalent jobs across site preparation, drilling, well servicing operations, fracturing, completions, tie-ins and abandonments. In 2026, we estimate that over 85,000 jobs will be created nationwide.