House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 46% of the vote.
Natural Resources January 25th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, Canadians want to find a responsible way to move these resources to international markets. They want to determine the safest, most economically advantageous and environmentally responsible way of moving them. The only way that these resources will move across the country is if the people of Canada have public confidence in the decisions that got us there. That is our commitment. That is what we intend to do.
Natural Resources January 25th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the premier of Saskatchewan has actually quoted the Prime Minister on this matter. We understand that to develop our resources responsibly—
Natural Resources January 25th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the importance of the resource economy to Canada. We know that 20% of our country's GDP is embedded in the natural resource sector. We are committed to developing this sector in a responsible way because we understand that tens of thousands of people are now suffering because of low commodity prices, not only in Alberta and Saskatchewan but in New Brunswick as well. We understand the importance of developing the sector responsibly.
We also understand that the consequence of this downturn has a real impact on people. We understand that and we recognize it—
Natural Resources January 25th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to consult with Canadians in Winnipeg and in Halifax, and in two weeks in Vancouver.
My first trip outside of Ottawa was to Calgary, where I had an excellent conversation with industry leaders who had just come to the realization that if we are to determine the best way of getting our resources to market, we will need government, environmentalists, indigenous leaders, and industry.
If we are not able to accomplish that, we will have the record about which the people across should not be very boastful.
Employment January 25th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, one of the major obligations of the Government of Canada is to make sure our resources end up at tidewater responsibly, and to do that we have to have processes that have the confidence of Canadians.
If we had had the confidence of Canadians, these major pipelines might have been built a long time ago, but there is none of that.
However, after we get through with a consultation process that has substance, includes indigenous peoples, and understands environmental issues, we will have a better chance than that government had.
Employment January 25th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, as a proud western Canadian, I will stand up for jobs in Alberta, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland.
If this were question and answer period, I would ask opposition members how many major pipelines they built in 10 years. The answer would be zero.
The reason they did not build major pipelines is that their process did not have the public confidence of Canadians.
We are talking to Canadians now, and what comes after these consultations will be Canadians' confidence in delivering these resources to market in a sustainable way.
Natural Resources December 9th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, commodity prices are at a historic low. We will take advantage of this moment to look at the regulatory process.
We will ensure that our resources get to international markets sustainably. We care as much about those who are suffering from where we are in the cycle as anybody else in this chamber.
Natural Resources December 9th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, 20% of GNP of Canada rests in the natural resource sector. We are serious about moving those resources in a responsible way to export markets, and we will do it in a way that will have the public confidence of Canadians.
We will do it by consulting indigenous communities as well.
Natural Resources December 9th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, perhaps we should review the success of those on the other side of the House in getting pipelines built.
I have already been in Alberta, and I have seen the results of this very low spot in the commodity cycle. While the prices are low, we will be modernizing the National Energy Board, so when pipelines are built, they will have the confidence of Canadians.
The Environment December 9th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, we are going to modernize the National Energy Board, and what that means is that it will be reflective of regional difference, representing the entire country. It will embody into its work respect for indigenous communities and indigenous culture. We have to restore public confidence in the regulatory process so we can move our resources to market responsibly and sustainably.