Debates of June 11th, 2025

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

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Chair, why is the government's claim of the two-year target for project approvals not in Bill C-5?

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

Mr. Chair, the Prime Minister has been very clear that the projects would be approved from the federal government's perspective within two years or less. He has given those KPIs to all of the ministers. We understand that is what—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Chair, uranium and energy projects in the U.S. are approved as quickly as between 16 and 28 days. How does Canada compete?

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

Mr. Chair, through this consultation, we have been speaking with CEOs of mining companies and CEOs of energy companies, and they tell us that if we can deliver approvals within two years, that would—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Shannon Stubbs, Conservative, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Chair, that is for the hundreds or thousands of workers who lost their jobs after all the Liberals' anti-development policies.

The Liberals say new pipelines only if there is a national consensus. What is a national consensus?

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

Mr. Chair, at the first nations meeting 10 days ago, there was consensus to advance projects of national interest. Our government will work with the premiers, work with—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

Order. The time has expired for that round.

I now call on the hon. member for Edmonton Northwest.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, the Liberal government talks tough about standing up to the United States and defending our sovereignty as a country. Does an oil and gas cap strengthen the Canadian economy, sovereignty, resilience and security?

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

Mr. Chair, we will introduce a bill to get major projects built in Canada. Our government will rapidly advance projects of national interest and approve them within two years. We will build the strongest low-cost, low-risk, low-carbon economy in the G7.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that the oil and gas cap will reduce nominal GDP by $20.5 billion and kill 54,000 jobs. Will the minister scrap the oil and gas cap?

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

Mr. Chair, what the government will do is pass the one Canadian economy act to grow our economy through delivering projects of national interest. We hope the members will get onside.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, green energy producers say the oil and gas cap deters investment and undermines employment. If the government keeps the cap, is the minister saying that Canada's largest energy investors are wrong?

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

Mr. Chair, for the last several weeks, we have been in conversations with many of the CEOs in the energy sector, both conventional and renewables, and they are quite supportive.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, now more than ever, working together to build major projects is critical, including with first nations. The minister has said that the government has reached out to first nations to consult on major project legislation. What indigenous peoples, coalitions or entities has the government consulted with?

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

Mr. Chair, I would be happy to give the member a copy of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition press release, on the day the bill was announced, supporting the government's initiatives.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, legislation says rights holders are to be consulted.

Is the First Nations Major Projects Coalition a rights holder?

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

Mr. Chair, we have been speaking with the Assembly of First Nations. I spoke with the chief of the Assembly of First Nations today. We also have a consultation process—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, is the Assembly of First Nations a rights holder?

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

Mr. Chair, the First Nations Major Projects Coalition—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Billy Morin, Conservative, Edmonton Northwest, AB]

Mr. Chair, is the Assembly of First Nations a rights holder?

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

Mr. Chair, the rights holders are the first nations and indigenous governments. Those people are members of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition.