Marc Serré

[Petitions, October 24th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to submit a petition, in both official languages, on behalf of the residents of Nickel Belt and greater Sudbury region.

I am tabling a petition calling on the federal government to move forward immediately with bold emission caps for the oil and gas sector that are comprehensive in scope and realistic in achieving an interim and science-based target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

The petition states that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned us repeatedly that rising temperatures over the next two decades, if left unabated, will bring widespread devastation and extreme weather.

[Oil and Gas Industry, October 20th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, it is really shameful that the Conservative Party would use this humanitarian situation to peddle conspiracy theories.

We need to work with our allies to deliver the clean energy they are asking for, whether it is hydrogen or reactors. If the member of the opposition actually cared about supporting Canadian energy and allies, they would not have voted against Bill C-49, which has created good jobs, improved global security and helped our allies.

[Oil and Gas Industry, October 20th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, as stated earlier, when the Conservatives were in office, they gutted environmental protection, eroded public trust, discouraged investment and made it harder, not easier, to build projects. This is why we delivered better rules for environmental assessments to help move projects forward. While we are making amendments to the act, the Supreme Court was clear: “Parliament can enact legislation to protect the environment”.

The Conservative Party's plan to eliminate environmental protections and disregard indigenous rights is reckless and unacceptable. The Leader of the Opposition is not worth the risk.

[Natural Resources, October 17th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the significant role that both mining and forestry have in my riding of Nickel Belt, northern Ontario and throughout Canada in ensuring economic opportunities for everyone.

Strong supply and services mining companies part of MineConnect provide thousands of well-paying jobs all over northern Ontario.

Last week, I chaired a round table group in Espanola concerning the closure of a local pulp and paper mill. The municipality has shown really true resilience. I commend Mayor Gervais and the council for their efforts to support local businesses.

Mining and forestry are both at the heart of northern Ontario's heritage, with a highly skilled workforce, good careers to many generations of families, jobs for indigenous people and a strong culture of innovation.

Canada continues to be a global leader for sustainable mining and forestry.

As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, I ask all members of the House to thank the countless dedicated workers of the mining and forestry industry, FPAC, the Forest Products Association of Canada and the Mining Association of Canada.

[Housing, September 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, affordability is our top priority, and I will give another example to the member. My constituents Daniel and Hélène Gingras, from my riding of Nickel Belt in northern Ontario, took advantage of the greener homes program to help cover the cost of installation, and they are saving hundreds of dollars a month on their energy bills while at the same time reducing emissions.

Addressing affordability and fighting climate change go hand in hand. Canadians know that the Leader of the Opposition is just not worth the risk.

[Natural Resources, September 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, protecting all of the species that live in our marine ecosystems remains a priority.

The proponent was required to develop and implement a plan to protect marine life. The project underwent a major environmental assessment. Its plan was reviewed and approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada experts.

I would like to point out that no oil production projects have been proposed in a marine refuge and that, if possible, such projects will not be approved.

[Natural Resources, September 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, under the Conservatives, only 1% of our oceans were protected. Fortunately, we have now protected more than 14%. We brought in protections, conditions, in accordance with international best practices that helped us set targets based on our conversations. Biodiversity is important, and we will consult the Bloc Québécois and all Canadians to ensure that we protect the environment and create jobs.

[Anniversary of the Franco‑Ontarian Flag, September 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, September 25 is the anniversary of the Franco‑Ontarian flag, which was raised at the University of Sudbury.

As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and as a proud francophone, I want to thank all the partners who keep the Francophonie alive: the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario, or ACFO, the health centres, Richelieu clubs, Club Calumet, the West Nipissing Arts Council, which is known as CANO, Collège Boréal, the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne, and the 12 French-language school boards in Ontario.

I also want to congratulate the municipality of Markstay‑Warren, in Nickel Belt, on declaring itself a bilingual community this past Friday.

Also, this afternoon, with the West Nipissing Historical Society, my aunt Florence Serré will be sharing her many books that bring our culture to life and celebrate our pride in our identity. There are even books on joual, ben voyons, with French slang expressions like attache ta tuque and j'ai mon voyage.

I invite all francophones and francophiles to celebrate today.

I send a warm thanks to all anglophones and multilingual allies across Canada.

[Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, September 19th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his speech today and for his work on the Standing Committee on Natural Resources. I would also like to thank him for all the work he is doing on renewable energy. I would even go so far as to say that he is a clean energy champion in his riding and in Quebec.

At the start of his speech, he talked about provincial jurisdictions. We have worked and negotiated hard with Premier Houston of Nova Scotia and also with Premier Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador, who support Bill C‑49.

We heard earlier that the Conservatives will not support the premiers. Further to the intervention by my Bloc Québécois colleague, I would like to know if his party will support Bill C‑49 because the premiers of both provinces support it.

[Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, September 19th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the work she's done on natural resources over the years, and I am looking forward to working with her more closely in the coming years.

The member talked at great length about other bills and other issues not related to Bill C-49. This bill is looking at creating jobs and attracting investment. That has been the federal government's approach. Could the member explain why both provincial premiers, Premier Furey and Premier Houston, are supporting this bill? Could the member explain if the Conservative Party will be supporting this bill, supporting the premiers, supporting investment and supporting jobs with Bill C-49?