House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 43% of the vote.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, the funding to ensure the NEB has clear and robust regulatory oversight throughout the life cycle of the facilities and activities it regulates was put in place. For example, in comparison to 2012-13, the 2013-14 main estimates have increased primarily due to an increase of $5.6 million for pipeline safety and awareness, a decrease of $2.3 million in funding for the participant funding program.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, the question has to do with the number of projects that are under regulation in mid-year. I do not have the answer.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, as I said, the National Energy Board is an independent body.
The main functions of the NEB include the design, construction, operation, the regulation of design construction, operation abandonment of pipelines, natural gas imports, and oil and gas activities on frontier lands.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, through the National Energy Board, our government has taken action to prevent pipeline accidents and improve our ability to respond to any incidents that do occur. We increased the number of inspections of federally regulated pipelines by 50% and doubled the number of annual audits.
The NDP members refuse to even--
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, the NDP policy chaos is a little like looking at a train wreck. The leader of the NDP says that the oil sands are not beneficial for Canada. In fact, he said it is a definition of a Dutch disease. He also thinks that it is a curse.
Then he goes to Alberta and says, “We want to be a partner for the development of our resources”.
Then he goes to Washington and has a meeting with Nancy Pelosi, who says that “Canadians don't want to see the pipeline in their own country”.
After the meeting, he sends his deputy leader to Washington, who then says “We're trying to present a different face of Canada on this”.
We know what that difference face is. It is anti-jobs. It is anti-development. It is anti-trade. The fact is, the NDP cannot be trusted to develop Canada's economy.
Mr. Chair, I would like to take a few minutes to talk about the oil sands, which constitute the third largest oil reserves in the world, create jobs and stimulate economic growth across Canada and in all sectors of the Canadian economy. The oil sands development is expected to support an average of 630,000 jobs a year across Canada between 2011 and 2035. An estimated $2 billion will be injected into the economy—
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the hon. member for Vegreville—Wainwright for his hard work as chair of our natural resource committee.
As he knows, our plan for responsible resource development would ensure Canada's regulatory regime is among the most efficient and competitive in the world. Responsible resource development would ensure stronger environmental protection by increasing our focus on major projects with the most potential for significant environmental effects, introducing tough new fines for companies that break our environmental laws, and advancing new measures to ensure world-class pipeline and marine safety regimes.
Our plan for responsible resource development would achieve the balance needed to unleash the potential of Canada's resource sector to create jobs and economic prosperity, while ensuring strong environmental protection and enhanced consultation with aboriginal communities.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, without question the government is moving in the right direction on this important issue. We place great emphasis on science. It is worth noting that in British Columbia there has been horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracking for almost 50 years. There is not a single instance of contamination of drinking water in that period of time.
However, we will continue to work with scientists to make sure that the best science is available to protect Canadians and protect the environment.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, we of course support the collaborative efforts that our provincial colleagues are making with each other and within their own provinces on this file.
I had the opportunity to meet with many of the provincial premiers and many of my counterparts right across the country. Of course, we have an annual meeting every year. We had one in Kananaskis. We had one in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. There will be one in Yellowknife. We will continue to work with the provinces on a collaborative basis.
The Liberals—
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, I am pleased that the member opposite recognizes the significant progress we have made in the transportation sector, which makes up 24% of Canada's emissions.
In October 2010, light-duty vehicle regulations for model years 2010 to 2016 came into force, establishing a common Canada-U.S. standard. In November 2012, Canada announced regulations to improve fuel efficiency and to reduce GHG emissions from passenger automobiles and light trucks for model years 2017 and beyond. As a result of our actions to date, 225 passenger vehicles and light trucks will emit about half as many GHGs as 2008 models.
BUSINESS OF SUPPLY May 21st, 2013
Mr. Chair, Canada is a recognized leader in clean energy and energy efficiency. For example, the International Energy Agency ranks Canada as second only to Germany, among 16 countries, in its rate of energy efficiency improvement from 1990 to 2008. Since 2006, our government has invested more than $10 billion to reduce emissions and to protect our environment through investments in green infrastructure, energy technologies, clean energy and the production of cleaner energy and cleaner fuels. These investments increase our competitiveness globally and create jobs for Canada.
Our government's clean energy investments contribute to our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. With respect specifically to energy efficiency, we have shown strong leadership. In 2015, energy performance standards will be in place for 55 appliances and equipment used in Canadian homes and businesses. This is expected to save an estimated 48 megatonnes of greenhouse gases annually by the end of this decade. In 2011, our government announced $195 million over five years to continue its momentum in improving energy efficiency in Canada.
It is this type of action that will assist in meeting our greenhouse gas emission targets.