COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, during the last emergency sitting, the Minister of Finance stated that help was coming very quickly to the energy sector, stating that he was not talking about weeks but talking about hours. However, two and a half weeks later, no help has been announced. Since the beginning of this pandemic, Canadian oil and gas companies have cancelled $8.5 billion in planned spending and capital investments, just trying to survive.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, why, then, the delay in helping the energy sector? This answer simply is not good enough. The Prime Minister said at the end of last month that the Liberals recognize there are certain industries that have been hit both by the drop in oil prices and by COVID-19, that there are significant areas where they are going to have to do more and will be doing more, yet the Nova Gas Transmission expansion, a $1.5-billion project, is awaiting cabinet approval.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, Albertans have been struggling for years. The unemployment rate of young men has been approaching 20%. Nearly $200 billion in oil and gas projects have been cancelled or stalled, and 200,000 Canadian oil and gas workers have lost their jobs in just the last five years, and this is all before COVID-19.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, Albertans need a plan to receive the money the government is laying out, and not have to play a game of wait and see. Similarly, there is $21 billion worth in energy projects in the queue for regulatory review, with at least one waiting for cabinet approval. The government can direct regulators to speed up the reviews while maintaining the evidence and science-based approach with the highest standards, which Canada is renowned for.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, hopefully we will hear that sooner than later. We already know that unemployment is at unprecedented levels and that people are struggling to pay their bills. The carbon tax makes these bills even larger at a time when every dollar saved is crucial for Canadians to be able to provide for their families.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, on Monday the Minister of Agriculture announced additional funds for Farm Credit Canada, but producers need cash flow now to pay for spring inputs like seed, fertilizer and fuel. How will the funds for Farm Credit Canada be allocated and how quickly? Will these be interest-free loans and will all commodity groups qualify?

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the member for Edmonton Centre is well known and well respected in the Edmonton business community. The Liberals are saying that the current economic situation is really because of the coronavirus or even because of the current oil prices. What is the member hearing from the Edmonton business community or Alberta business community?

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, there are no subsidies to the oil and gas sector. The fact of the matter is that we are talking about taking off the burdensome regulations, the unnecessary regulations, regulations that are strangling the energy sector and that is a result of what is happening in Alberta with so many job losses.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, what I talked about was providing a plan for businesses right across this country to be able to support workers to get back to work. We want to take the burden away from businesses, especially the small businesses that help to run this country. The Liberal government has created so much red tape and has burdened some of these businesses that they are unable to do what they do best, which is grow the economy and help support workers, so that they can provide for their families.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, my colleague mentions the price of oil being part of the factor here. Yes, it is true the world price of oil makes a difference, but at the end of the day I have seen companies shut down in Alberta and move south to Texas where there is less regulation and more support overall for the industry and they are able to flourish.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, it is an honour for me, speaking on behalf of my constituents, to rise and speak to this very important motion. It is a motion that my colleague from Carleton has brought forward, and one that I had the opportunity to second. Throughout my ongoing consultations and interactions with constituents, I hear about the concerns of the people right across Edmonton Mill Woods.

Auditor General of Canada  Madam Speaker, yesterday the Auditor General appeared before the public accounts committee and said that his office does not have the financial resources required to fulfill his mandate to properly audit the government. He is forced to conduct fewer audits, and his IT system is completely out of date.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's weak leadership, anti-energy policies and delay tactics continue to drive investment away from Alberta. In fact, expenditures in the energy sector are now $42 billion lower than they were under the previous Conservative government. With the cancellation of the Teck mine, the Prime Minister has overseen almost $200 billion in cancelled energy projects.

Relations with Indigenous Peoples  Madam Speaker, I listened to the member's comments closely and what I am not hearing is concern for the workers or small businesses of this country. I am also not hearing concern for the first nations communities that support this project and the jobs that it will bring to their communities, and that also oppose this illegal activity.

Public Service of Canada  Mr. Speaker, we can only address ongoing issues of racism when we allow people to speak freely about their experiences. The government recently fired a public servant overseeing anti-racism initiatives because she spoke out against the Prime Minister. Now the government is mandating “duty of loyalty” training for some government employees.