Debates of May 6th, 2021

Line 5 Pipeline Shutdown

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have had the privilege of singing O Canada every third Wednesday. I hope she was not talking about that performance, because I certainly do not think it is a great performance.

We have to be realistic. If we shut down the oil sands tomorrow morning, Tesla, Ford or any auto manufacturer would not have the capacity to build battery-powered cars. That is the truth. I would invite the hon. member to look at some of the ideas we have put forward regarding the green transition in budget 2021.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Madam Speaker, I know my colleague on the other side of the House spoke about the legality of what is happening here and I refer to his previous colleague, the deputy House leader, when he referred to the opinion of one of your colleagues earlier in the evening—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

I am sorry, but the hon. member has to speak through the Speaker and not directly to other members.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Madam Speaker, I was referring to his reference to the legal position of the government on this and the previous deputy House leader's reference to his colleague's legal opinion of what was going to happen at the hearing with the Governor of Michigan. Yesterday, in The Globe and Mail, the Governor's office was quite clear that, “the Governor's position is that Enbridge must stop operating Line 5 by May 12.”

Inasmuch as we have all kinds of great legal opinions out here at this point in time, when we have an intransigent party to the side, when do we move it to the top levels of decision-making to make sure they intervene and get the proper outcome for the country?

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Madam Speaker, I understand the article the member for Calgary Centre is citing. I know both parties are still in mediation. I believe, and I am sure he supports me, that during mediation both parties are still participating. If one party steps out of mediation and declares that we need to shut Line 5 down on May 12, there is a bit of politics being played.

I can assure him that our Prime Minister raised this issue at the highest level in the U.S. I can assure the member that Canada will do everything possible to secure Line 5, because it is in Canada's interests.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, I am afraid many members have not been able to distinguish between why some pipelines are opposed on climate reasons and others are not. Despite what many members have said in this place, there are pipelines in use that do not expand fossil fuel production, unlike Keystone, energy east and TMX, which are all about the export of raw bitumen to other countries to be refined elsewhere. The Line 5 pipeline is not being opposed by environmentalists on either side of the border because of climate constraints. It is being opposed by people who are concerned that a pipeline built in 1953 and maintained by a company with a terrible record for leaks poses a threat to the Great Lakes.

I would ask my hon. colleague this. It is very important for the Canadian government to make its views clear, but we must be realistic. Another pipeline is needed—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

I have to give a few seconds for the hon. member to answer.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Madam Speaker, I hear what my hon. colleague is saying. I am not involved in those direct negotiations, but what I have heard from Enbridge is that it is proposing some mitigation measures to ensure the pipeline is safe.

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources]

Madam Speaker, there has been much talk in the House of Commons about the threat of Line 5 closing, whether during question period, opposition days, or as part of this evening's emergency debate. Let us be clear. Our position is consistent: Line 5 is essential to Canada's energy security. It is non-negotiable.

We have heard inside and outside the House, both in the United States and Canada, how important this line is. There have been many interventions with the Prime Minister, President Biden. I want to thank the Special Committee on the Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States. It has done very good work. Vern Yu from Enbridge said, “The stakes could not be higher.”

The infrastructure of Line 5 is really important to economic growth, job growth and energy security. Let us be clear. To our government, today's debate is key. On both sides of the border we agree that it is really important to keep Line 5 open. It is really important for workers and families on both sides of the border. We must continue to work together to ensure that it remains a very important economic driver.

We have reminded the Americans of an opinion piece that ran in The Detroit News, which focused on the energy emergencies last winter. They affected 34 states. Millions of Americans were left to shiver in the dark when the grid was shut down, yet Michigan provided propane to its customers thanks to Line 5. It is why our government is fighting hard to keep it open.

Michigan State Senator Curt VanderWall summed things up well when he said, “Critical energy supplies. Jobs. Tax revenue. Environmental benefits. Safety. Line 5 delivers all of that for Michigan”. Senator VanderWall is backed by the numbers, and families and businesses in Michigan’s upper peninsula rely on Line 5. It is really important for propane demand in that area. I can give another example. The Michigan Oil and Gas Association said, “Line 5’s closure will jeopardize...nearly 47,000 Michigan jobs”. We know this is important on both sides of the border.

There are many Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. who support Line 5, and they are working with us and Enbridge to ensure that this pipeline remains open. It has been safe, and it has moved 27 billion barrels of crude oil since 1953.

Many support Line 5, including the CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and I want to assure the House that we are working at all levels of government to ensure that this pipeline remains open. We need to take a team Canada approach, and I hope that all parties in the House will support us and continue working with us to ensure that this pipeline remains open. We must work together.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

It being midnight, I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until later this day at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 12 a.m.)