Madam Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on behalf of many residents of Saanich—Gulf Islands and beyond Saanich—Gulf Islands. They are concerned that while the Government of Canada has recognized that we are in a climate crisis, and though Canadians continue to support and call for climate action, Canada is continuing to spend, the petitioners note, at least $4.8 billion a year in subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, including loans and tax credits. They note that the oil and gas industry continues to make record profits, while Canadians continue to struggle with the rising cost of living.
Summarizing the rest of the concerns of the petition, petitioners ask that the Government of Canada end all such subsidies to fossil fuels; invest in clean and renewable energy and infrastructure, including an improved and modernized cross-province electricity grid, while respecting the rights of indigenous peoples through UNDRIP; and impose a windfall tax on excess profits of the oil and gas industry.