House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 54% of the vote.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, we made a promise to Canadians in June and September 2015. It is in my mandate letter. It was in the throne speech. It is a promise that we intend to keep, as members can see.
There are other opportunities for coastal first nations, but they relate to non-persistent oils. I urge my colleague to read up on the difference between the two.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, as I said previously, there are multiple reasons that make the north coast a unique case.
First, the industry there is not developed, which is because of the voluntary exclusion zone that has been in place since 1985. Second, the infrastructure in place there to deal with problematic situations is not as sturdy as it is on the east coast or on the southern coast. Third, we are dealing with one of the last pristine rainforests in Canada, which has been protected not only by the federal government but also by the provincial government. Fourth, the majority of coastal first nations that live there and have been there for millennia have very clearly said they do not want to take the risk of an oil spill.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, that is what we are doing.
Today, when the Prime Minister announced our support for TMX, he also said that all net revenue from this project will be invested in a fund to support the clean energy transition. This is a tangible example. Once everything is in place, we will be looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, I disagree with that characterization of the situation, because there are still plenty of opportunities.
Let me talk about the example of the massive LNG project out of Kitimat. That will provide opportunities for first nations and others along the northern coast. I would also add, again, because people seem to be focused only on the persistent oils, that this is not a ban on non-persistent oils. I would recommend that my colleague check the schedule in Bill C-48 to find out which products are banned. He will also realize that certain products are not banned and can be exported by tanker from the north coast.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, what I meant was that some people can be naive or hypocritical when it comes to energy. It is important to recognize that we need to look after the environment and the economy at the same time.
Tens of thousands of people rely on the energy sector, and this sector contributes to our country's wealth, allowing us to build schools and hospitals in Quebec. That is the reality, but those who are constantly criticizing energy development never recognize that.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, talking about all show and no go, I think we are at day 420, waiting for the environmental climate change plan that is going to come from the Conservatives. Hopefully, it will come tomorrow. Tomorrow we will find out how they will magically take care of everything with absolutely no impact on anybody. That is the thing I am waiting to hear tomorrow.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
I apologize, Madam Speaker.
The problem with my colleague is that the only thing that matters to him is the environment. In his eyes, the economy does not count. He talked about campaign speeches. The wealth that flows from our energy sector allows us to build hospitals and schools in Quebec, but he does not talk about that. We are striking a balance between the economy and the environment.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, I would really appreciate it if the member could be quiet for once. Unfortunately—
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, I am tempted to ask my colleague how he gets from Saint-Hubert to Ottawa every week. On foot? No, I doubt he walks all that way.
Oil Tanker Moratorium Act June 18th, 2019
Madam Speaker, my colleague really has hit the centre of the bull's eye by talking about the fact that, yes, we are stewards of the environment but we also are very concerned about trying to address economic issues and economic opportunities for first nations. That is essentially the approach that we as a party have taken from the beginning. It is not an either/or issue, where we forget about the environment, like the Conservatives, or in the case of the New Democrats, where we forget about the economy. We have actually, in our opinion, hit the sweet spot by trying to address both.