House of Commons Hansard #70 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was plan.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, if the Minister of Natural Resources were not pretending to still be living in the 19th century—
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, if the Minister of Natural Resources were not pretending to still be living in the 19th century, he would understand the importance of sustainable development for future generations.
He would also see that people are worried about the Conservatives' lack of action on the environment.
The minister can choose to continue to cater to the oil lobby and climate change deniers or he can listen to Canadians who are worried about their communities.
What will he choose?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, a while ago the member opposite insulted Canadian seniors. Now, she is insulting our ancestors. When will it stop? Sir John A. Macdonald knew what a nation-building project would do. Today, this government knows that it will produce jobs, economic growth and revenue for governments to support social programs like health, education and—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order, please. It is only the second day back. I am going to ask members for a bit of co-operation. I am having an increasingly difficult time. Order, please.
The hon. member for Halifax.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, I was looking for an answer from the minister but I guess today that is too much to ask. Let us try a different route.
Yesterday, the minister said that radical groups oppose the development of hydrocarbons but surely the minister must—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order, please. The member for Cape Breton—Canso has to let the member for Halifax put the question.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
I do appreciate his encouragement, Mr. Speaker.
Surely the minister knows the basics of his file. He must know that hydrocarbons are a leading cause of climate change. Can the minister tell us if he agrees with the scientific link between hydrocarbons and climate change, yes or no?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, what I said yesterday is the government's policy. We will only approve projects that are safe for Canadians and for the environment. We are in favour of projects which will create jobs and economic activity and which will be nation builders for Canadians right across this country, from coast to coast to coast.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, I did not hear an answer. Maybe that is because the minister does not understand the question. Hydrocarbons are these tiny little compounds that form a gas called methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas that causes climate change. This is not theology; this is science.
I will ask again. Does the minister understand and agree that hydrocarbons cause climate change, yes or no?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the government has invested over $10 billion in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating energy efficiency programs. The oil sands, which represent one one-thousandth of global emissions, have had their emissions reduced by over 30% in the last 12 years. The gap between oil sands oil and conventional oil is narrow, about 5% to 10%, and it is narrowing even further. We favour technological innovation which will improve the performance of the oil sands.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, the minister cannot answer this question. Let us back up a bit. He is right in the sense that there is a radical—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
The Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages may be asked a question but I will ask him to wait until she has put the question.
The hon. member for Halifax.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, there is one thing the minister and I agree on. There is a radical fringe group that is trying to block Canada's movement forward and the movement of our economy forward. Its members believe in elaborate scientific conspiracy theories and they are backed by big foreign groups. They are called climate change deniers.
I would like the minister to clarify, does he believe in the science of climate change or is he a denier?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite continues to talk about the radicals.
Let us remember what some people believe. There are some radicals who oppose all hydrocarbon development. There are some who think that one one-thousandth of one per cent addition to global warming will somehow destroy the planet. These are people who are not backed by science.
We are going to continue to support job-creating projects that are important to build this country.
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Mr. Speaker, to doubt the existence of climate change is just as ridiculous as denying that our winters are cold. Heating our homes is expensive. Thousands of Canadians have taken advantage of the eco-energy program, investing in the local economy and protecting the environment. But this government has again cut this assistance for Canadians.
Canadians are doing their part to protect the environment and the economy. Why does the minister not do the same?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, the eco-energy retrofit program reached its goal of 250,000 registered homeowners.
Participating homeowners will see significant savings on their energy bills. The program also provides jobs right across this country. With this program fully subscribed, we expect to approach our budget limit of $400 million.
While the opposition voted against this important initiative, our government remains proud of its success.
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Mr. Speaker, this is not a capping. This is a knee-capping of our homeowners and our construction industry. It dismisses a commitment to energy-efficient building.
Energy retrofits save families money and create local jobs. They reduce energy consumption and pollution.
However, like last year, the Conservatives have suddenly pulled the plug, breaking their promise. Why will the government not support this popular, cost-effective and environmentally friendly program?
Joe Oliver ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources
Mr. Speaker, our government is proud to support energy efficiency. The eco-energy program will allow Canadians to save on their heating bills while creating jobs and economic activity throughout the country.
On Sunday, we reiterated our commitment to energy efficiency with an additional $117 million in funding for these initiatives.