Paul Lefebvre

[Natural Resources, January 31st, 2020]

Madam Speaker, we recognize the closure of the mill will have a very real impact on our forestry sector in Nova Scotia and, most importantly, for workers. Our thoughts are with these workers and the families during what we know is a very difficult time.

Federal services and programs are available to support them. We have been in touch with the province to offer support. Actually, I was in Halifax last week talking to the minister himself. We will continue working with our partners to build a strong and sustainable forestry sector that remains a source of good, well-paying jobs.

[Natural Resources, January 31st, 2020]

Madam Speaker, when it comes to the energy sector, the one thing that we are always working toward is making sure that good projects move ahead. When it comes to LNG Canada, the largest private-sector investment in Canadian history, we have been supportive. On Line 3 we were supportive. On Keystone XL, we were supportive. We bought TMX to ensure that it moves forward.

We will work with the Province of Alberta and the B.C. government to make sure that good projects move forward in the right way.

[Apollo Restaurant, January 31st, 2020]

Madam Speaker, Sudbury's Apollo Restaurant celebrates its 50th anniversary in March 2020. It was established on the Kingsway in 1970 by George and Toula Sakellaris, who immigrated to Canada from small villages in southern Greece.

The Apollo introduced Sudburians to Greek cuisine, something that was somewhat exotic in the early 1970s.

Unfortunately, George, who enjoyed golfing at Cedar Green, watching the Montreal Canadiens and playing cards with friends, left us in 2007. Nevertheless, the Apollo is still owned and operated by Toula and her family.

The next time members are in Sudbury they can come and visit this famous restaurant.

[Member spoke in Greek]

[Natural Resources, December 13th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, last week the minister was in Acheson, Alberta to mark an important milestone, the beginning of construction on spread 1 of the Trans Mountain expansion project. On top of this, the Canadian portion of the Line 3 replacement project, which our government approved, came online at the beginning of December. This is very good news for workers in our energy sector and for all Canadians.

These projects are proof of what happens when we do the hard work necessary to move forward in the right way every step of the way.

[Natural Resources, December 13th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, under our government, we have secured the single largest private sector investment in Canadian history with LNG Canada, which is going to create 10,000 jobs. We did the hard work necessary on TMX. Again, the pipes are in the ground right now, creating over 4,000 jobs in Alberta alone. We unlocked over $8 billion in petrochemical investments in the greater Edmonton region, creating hundreds of jobs. We approved the Line 3 replacement project. It is online and in service here on the Canadian side. We will continue working hard for the energy sector and creating those great jobs.

[Natural Resources, December 13th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, the legislation that was there before was called CEAA 2012 and everybody in the energy sector wanted it changed. Why? Because no projects were moving ahead and if they were there were duplications and delays.

With Bill C-69, the Impact Assessment Act, it is clear that there will be one review for one project. The mining industry is supportive of this act. We are discussing with the provinces to make sure that, as we implement it, we hear the concerns and we move forward in the right way.

[Natural Resources, December 13th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, as it is the first time that I rise in this 43rd Parliament, I want to thank the residents of Sudbury for having the confidence in me to represent them again in this beautiful House.

When it comes to LNG, Canada is well positioned to become a major player in the global LNG industry with proposed projects in the west and in the east. We have strong measures in place to attract investment while also reducing emissions. After securing the single largest private sector investment in Canadian history, it is clear our plan is working. We will continue to take action to ensure Canada is on track to become the world's cleanest producer of LNG and reach global markets.

[Natural Resources, June 18th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, we are putting in place better rules to protect the environment, respect indigenous rights, attract investment and create good, middle-class jobs. Hundreds of major resource projects worth over $500 billion in investments are planned across Canada over the next 10 years. A robust project list will ensure good projects can move forward in a timely, transparent way that protects the environment, rebuilds public trust and strengthens our economy.

[Natural Resources, June 18th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect a transparent assessment of major projects that they can trust, and businesses need assessments to be done in a timely and efficient way. The Harper Conservatives gutted this process. They made Canadians lose trust, and they hurt our economy and energy sector at the same time.

Our better rules will ensure that resource development is done in a way that protects the environment, grows our economy, properly consults indigenous peoples and creates good, middle-class jobs. That is what Canadians expect. That is what we will continue to deliver.

[The Environment, June 18th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians elected our government on a plan to grow the economy and protect the environment. That is exactly what we are delivering.

We have invested over $1.5 billion in the oceans protection plan. We have a national climate plan with more than 50 measures, investing over $50 billion in the green economy. We are also putting in place a process to make sure resource projects move forward in the right way.

If it were up to the NDP, there would be no new investments in any new natural resource sector. Let us look at LNG Canada. We are not sure where the NDP stands.

We are focused on getting the energy sector process to move forward in the right way.