Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, everyone.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear here today.
I also want to note that we're meeting on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe.
The main estimates that are being considered by the committee today are a blueprint for how we build energy security, strengthen our sovereignty and economy and ensure that every region of Canada can succeed, because we're living through a global rupture, an even more tumultuous time than when I last appeared before this committee. Since then, the conflict in the Middle East has driven up fuel prices around the world.
We have contributed to the IEA's largest ever oil stock release, and our government has acted to temporarily suspend the fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel across Canada, bringing the total amount of taxes cut on a litre of gasoline to 28¢ since we were first elected.
To make Canada more energy-secure and less reliant on external factors, our government is also working to realize Canada's full potential in both clean and conventional energy. We're building big in electricity, in LNG and in nuclear to provide all Canadians with clean, reliable and affordable power.
At the same time, supply chains continue to shift. The global demand for energy and minerals is rising, and our allies are looking to Canada as a stable, responsible trading partner. To illustrate how we're responding to this need and diversifying Canadian exports beyond the United States, I would like to highlight a few examples contained in the estimates that respond to these issues with clarity and purpose.
First, this year's estimates include a total commitment of $2.3 billion to unlock the infrastructure, the technology and the processing capacity needed to turn Canada's critical mineral wealth into a long-term opportunity for this country. This will strengthen our economic security by fulfilling domestic defence, manufacturing and clean energy demands and getting minerals to new global markets.
Second, with over $392 million sought for the smart renewables and electrification pathways program, we are modernizing Canada's grid so that power remains affordable, clean and resilient.
We are also taking significant steps to further support our forest sector as it pivots to new products and markets, including with $157 million for our suite of forest sector transformation programs. With the conclusion of the Canadian forest sector transformation task force's mandate this past week, our government will be responding to its report by setting out our vision for the sector. I look forward to having more to say about our ambition to pivot and grow the forest sector in the coming weeks.
At the same time, our new government and National Resources Canada are collectively taking with the utmost seriousness fiscal responsibility and the Prime Minister's promise to spend less so we can invest more. That is why it is worth noting that, even as we deliver more for Canadians, for 2026-27, Natural Resources Canada's budget is seeking $4.8 billion in budgetary authorities, a decrease of 5% from last year.
All Canadians feel the urgency of this moment. Business as usual will not meet the scale of what workers and their families expect from us, given the challenges and opportunities we face. To make good on what we have promised to Canadians, we must be bold and move forward with purpose. Our new Liberal government's approach to energy and natural resources means we are thinking bigger, building smarter and moving faster as one country with one economy and one shared future.
I look forward to your questions. Thank you.