Debates of June 11th, 2025

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, there are 600-plus first nations communities in this country. How many has the minister consulted?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, over the next several days, we will be increasing the consultations. I have scheduled meetings with 180 different first nations.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, on behalf of first nations, I think the Liberal government has continued to show it is all about reconciliation rhetoric and not about actual change and taking first nations seriously.

What does the minister believe consensus is on a major project?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, I have worked extensively, in my private sector life, with indigenous groups to get projects built. We have done it very successfully. We will continue to do that. That is the goal—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, if a consortium of indigenous nations wanted to build an oil pipeline like the northern gateway, would the minister approve it?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, I am not going to talk about hypothetical projects. If a project comes forward with a proponent that is supported by first nations, we will run it through the process, and if it meets the process, it will get designated.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, will the government get one new, cross-provincial pipeline to tidewater?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, when we were in Saskatoon talking with the various premiers, we talked about many, many projects, including—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, yes or no?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, we are not talking about hypothetical situations. We are talking about real projects coming—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, how many major projects have been killed in the lost Liberal decade?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, this is a new government. I am not—

[An hon. member]

New?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, I happen to be new.

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

Order.

The hon. member.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, between 2015 and 2020 alone, Canada cancelled 16 major energy projects, resulting in a $176-billion hit to our economy.

What is the dollar amount needed to make Canada an energy superpower in the next two years?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, again, the hon. member is looking backwards. If the hon. member wants to see major projects built, we hope the Conservatives will support the one Canadian economy act and get building.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, I asked the member, for the next two years, what is the number of projects and the dollar amount?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, the list is an ongoing list that is getting developed. As new projects come on, they will be added to the list.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Ponoka—Didsbury, AB]

Mr. Chair, how many crude oil pipeline projects did the Liberal government inherit from the Harper government?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Chair, we are here to focus on moving forward, not backwards. We have an opportunity to build Canada strong. We have an opportunity to pass the one Canadian—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.