Debates of June 9th, 2025

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

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Chair, the minister's department stated that EV mandate regulations “are estimated to have incremental [zero-emission vehicle] and home charger costs of $54.1 billion”. Why is the minister supporting a policy that—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. minister.

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, I am proud that the rebates we provided allowed 546,000 zero-mission vehicle purchases to be supported.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, the minister claimed that there is national unity and consensus, but the day after the meeting, B.C. Premier David Eby said no to a pipeline, removing consensus. Is this a veto?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Chair, as I mentioned, the premiers and the Prime Minister came together at that table and had a strong meeting to talk about how we build national unity and national projects. I stand by that.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, does Premier Eby's opposition to this project mean a veto?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, the only people who seem to be concerned about divisions, increasing them and stating them, are the members opposite. The premier said there was unity.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, will the minister tell Premier Eby that his opposition does not matter?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, I cannot even believe that question was asked. Is the member opposite saying that there was no unity at that table? Is she not saying that Canadians want us to work?

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, premiers Smith, Moe and Kinew have all said yes to a pipeline to Churchill. Does this mean a yes?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, once again, I have said that it is not my job to select the projects that will be national unity projects, but it is my job to make sure that the environment—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Conservative, John Nater]

The hon. member.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, “From everything I've read about the Teck Frontier project, I don't think it should go ahead” were the words of the minister back in 2020 when she did think it was her place to pick a project. This mine would have created 7,000 construction jobs and 2,500 operational jobs. Is climate change more important than Alberta's economy?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, as Minister of Environment, I am standing in front of this House to say that we need to ensure we build our country as an energy superpower that is low-risk, low-cost and low-carbon, and we will do it.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, would the minister still oppose this project today?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, it is not my job to select projects or projects of national interest. It is my job to make sure that we take into account the environment.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, has the minister ever been to Fort McMurray?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, I do not believe I need to share my travel history with the member opposite.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, has the minister ever toured the oil sands?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, I am the Minister of Environment. I do not think I need to speak to the member about where I have travelled, but more to that space, if she has questions about the oil sands, she can ask the Minister of Energy.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, I have a really simple question: Does being an energy superpower include oil sands energy?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, being an energy superpower means that we support energy in all its forms from our country. We are a strong country. We should be proud of it.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, does this include the oil sands, yes or no?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Chair, as I mentioned, to build an energy superpower, it must be low-risk, low-cost and low-carbon.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Chair, is it yes or no to the oil sands?