Mr. Speaker, next week the government will table a new budget. The Conservatives claim their priority is economic prosperity and job creation, but economic prosperity for whom, in whose interests, and for which economic sectors?
What Canadians want and deserve are policies and investments that foster job creation and business development in the communities and across sectors—in other words, economic diversity. Two sectors meriting greater attention and offering huge potential are the clean energy and energy efficiency sector and first nation energy enterprises.
Last month's International Indigenous Energy Summit, organized by the Calgary-based Indian Resource Council's National Energy Business Centre of Excellence, showcased inspiring models of investment ingenuity. Successful wind power, solar, run-of-river, geothermal, and biofuel projects are providing cleaner and more reliable energy sources for first nations and neighbouring communities, quality jobs, training, and dollars for expanded local enterprises.
The choice is clear. The federal government can stick to the same old narrow path or embrace economic strategy for a cleaner, sustainable, more economically diverse Canada.