Evidence of meeting #95 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was funding.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Vance Badawey Liberal Niagara Centre, ON
UPS, United Parcel Service, just announced a 180,000-square-foot facility today in Montreal.
Do you find that the infrastructure investments that we—
Liberal
Amarjeet Sohi Liberal Edmonton Mill Woods, AB
Absolutely.
One thing we clearly understand is that infrastructure investments unlock and enable many other investments. Private sector investment is so critical and dependent on well-functioning and efficient infrastructure to move people, to move goods and services, and to invest in people, so that they are healthy people, enjoying the quality of life that attracts people to their communities.
All those things that we do enable private sector investments into our country.
Conservative
Ron Liepert Conservative Calgary Signal Hill, AB
Minister, you and I represent the same people, Albertans. If you aren't hearing it, I certainly am, and that is unhappiness in our province over equalization. We can't do much about that because there's a formula. I think there has been real hope in Alberta over the past couple of years that one way of levelling the playing field would be that Alberta could get some significant infrastructure dollars to put people back to work.
You keep talking about approved projects. I don't expect you as a minister to know all of the projects specifically, but you are an Alberta member of Parliament. I'd like you to talk a little about some of the specific projects that are happening in Alberta, not the approved ones. Where are people working?
You've been in office for two and a half years now. Where are people working in Alberta on projects that have come out of this deficit funding for infrastructure? Don't tell me about the ring road; that was money that was put into the pot before the last election. The Calgary ring road announcement of funding came with the Conservatives, so don't talk about the ring road.
I'd like you to spend some time talking to my constituents, as an Albertan, and all of our constituents, about some of these major infrastructure projects in Alberta.
Liberal
Amarjeet Sohi Liberal Edmonton Mill Woods, AB
Through you, Madam Chair, thank you for that question, and thank you so much for your passion for Albertans. I share that passion.
I know that Albertans have gone through very difficult times for the last two or three years because of the decline in oil prices and the mismanagement of the previous governments. They did not manage the resources properly and did not invest those resources to create economies—
Conservative
Liberal
Amarjeet Sohi Liberal Edmonton Mill Woods, AB
Since coming into office, we have approved a combined investment of $4 billion into Alberta's infrastructure. That is almost three times higher than the previous government did for Alberta in the last five years.
Those projects are being built. There is an LRT project in my city that is under construction. There are waste-water investments that are being delivered now. There is roadwork being done on Highway 2. The design work is being done on Calgary's green line. All those things are happening in our communities. There are a number of other projects that I can identify for you.
This government cares about Albertans. That is why we advanced $250 million in stabilization funding. That is why we provided $35 million to clean orphaned oil wells. That's why we extended EI benefits for laid-off workers, which has benefited thousands of workers—close to $400 million of investment in families and people. The Canada child benefit is close to $900 million for Alberta's families.
We're doing what we can, and we're proud. I'm proud to be—
Conservative
Ron Liepert Conservative Calgary Signal Hill, AB
I hope you'll be proud when you take it in 2019, Minister, because it isn't even close to the equalization efforts that Albertans are concerned about. You have not identified specific projects that Albertans are working on. You continue to talk about approved projects. We'll see whether Albertans give you any credit for it in the next election, sir.
I'll turn the rest of my time over to Mr. Chong.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
There isn't more time, because we have committee business to do. I can suggest that we will have Minister Sohi back here shortly, and you'll have lots of additional time to ask questions.
My apologies that we have to cut it short because of committee business. Otherwise we would have you for another 15 minutes.
Liberal
Liberal
NDP
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
I have a request for you.
In the interest of transparency—I know that this is a principle that is prized by the government—since I tabled the motion during the public meeting, I would like us to vote on the motion before the meeting ends. Otherwise we could do so next Monday.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
We have it before us. You've asked that we deal with this now.
Is there unanimous consent to deal with Madame Sansoucy's motion in open session?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
We're all right with that.
Minister, you're free to leave. Excuse us while we try to deal with this.
Madame Sansoucy has already moved the motion. Is there any discussion or comment?
We have Mr. Fraser, Mr. Badawey, then Mr. Chong.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
Excellent. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for moving the motion. I'm inclined to support it, but I would like to move a mild amendment. There's some language that I find disagreeable, but it doesn't change the nature of what you hope to achieve.
Specifically, I don't view this necessarily as an emergency. I think we're talking about $180 billion over a very long period. I would—
Liberal
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
Thank you.
I would propose that we delete the word “emergency” and delete the words in the first bullet: “any future”. Otherwise, I am fine with the proposal and I think it's a good idea.