Jonathan Wilkinson

[Health, December 10th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, we certainly thank the Auditor General for her recent report and her findings. Our government has worked extremely hard to protect Canadians and to address the issues associated with COVID-19 based on the latest science and evidence. We are accepting all of the recommendations of the Auditor General, and work is already under way to ensure that we are learning from some of the observations that she has made.

However, we have acted quickly and we have acted boldly to ensure that we are protecting the health and security of Canadians at a time when the Conservatives wanted us to do less. That is what Canadians expect, and that is what we will continue to do.

[Health, December 10th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I sometimes have a hard time following what the hon. member is saying. Sometimes he wants us to do more. Other times, he wants us to do less.

We have worked very hard to protect the health and safety of Canadians, and we will continue to take action for the future.

[Health, December 10th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, we thank the Auditor General for her report and findings.

Our government has always sought to protect Canadians. We are adapting our response to COVID-19 based on the most recent scientific evidence. We accept all of the recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada as a result of this audit. Work is already under way to implement them.

We acted swiftly at a time when the Conservatives wanted to do much less.

[Natural Resources, December 3rd, 2021]

Madam Speaker, as my hon. colleague knows, Canada has developed a climate plan that is perhaps one of the most detailed and comprehensive in the world. I would invite him to actually read the document.

Canada also, I would remind him, has one of the cleanest grids in the world as it exists today. More than 80% of Canada's power comes from non-emitting sources, the vast majority of it from renewables, which is one of the highest levels of renewable production anywhere in the world.

However, we certainly understand that more needs to be done. We will be bringing forward an enhanced reduction plan associated with our commitments under the net-zero legislation, and we will be working to ensure there is economic prosperity—

[Natural Resources, December 3rd, 2021]

Madam Speaker, certainly the issue of orphan wells and the environmental liabilities that they represent is a significant issue for all Canadians. As members know, we introduced a program focused primarily on the western provinces during a time of great financial crisis.

Typically the issue of the regulation of oil and gas producing companies and the environmental liabilities associated with that are addressed at provincial jurisdiction, but we are always happy to engage in a conversation with our counterparts in provinces and territories when they raise concerns.

[Natural Resources, December 3rd, 2021]

Madam Speaker, our government has developed an ambitious climate plan. It is one of the world's most detailed and concrete plans. In the transition toward a net-zero future, we must consider all non-emitting technologies, including wind, solar, hydro and yes, nuclear energy.

It is certainly an important part of the mix right now in this country, and we have been supporting the development and the assessment of small modular reactors. I had a very good conversation with my counterpart in Ontario, and I did indeed congratulate him on an important step forward in the development of this technology.

[Natural Resources, December 2nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, our government has very ambitious climate targets in one of the world's most detailed and concrete climate plans.

In the transition to a low-carbon economy and to a net-zero future, we must consider all non-emitting technologies, including wind, solar, hydro and, yes, nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is already an important part of Canada's non-emitting energy mix and supports many Canadian jobs along the supply chain. Canada's nuclear industry is a leader in driving the development, for example, of small modular reactors.

Our government will continue to work with Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and others in supporting the assessment and development of this technology.

[Natural Resources, December 2nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate my hon. colleague on his appointment as the critic for natural resources. I would say that no country in the G7 or the G20 has been as ambitious as this country with respect to climate action over the last six years. Certainly, that was acknowledged at COP26.

Where is the money? We have committed over $100 billion with respect to climate action that will result not only in the reduction of emissions but also in economic activity that will drive jobs and growth in all regions of this country. That certainly includes the work we have done with respect to the just transition on coal phase-out.

Certainly, the government has—

[Natural Resources, December 2nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, since 2015, our government has been making a sustained effort on a national scale to implement the necessary measures and to help Canada significantly reduce emissions so that all sectors and all regions of the country can participate and prosper.

We are taking meaningful climate action and developing climate solutions that will reduce pollution and create new jobs.

[Natural Resources, December 2nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the government is working very hard to ensure the economic prosperity of all regions of this country. That very much includes the oil and gas-producing regions within this country. There are many, many things that we have done to ensure we are supporting and actively promoting the interests of the oil and gas sector in this country, including building the Trans Mountain pipeline, defending Canada's interests concerning Line 5 and supporting the KXL project.

We will continue to advocate on behalf of Canadian interests, working toward a future that will be a prosperous one for every province and territory in this country.