Natural Resources committee  So defining the public interest is the key to that.

Natural Resources committee  Yes. I think the reason we have a need for national leadership is that we have, in this country, net producing and net consuming provinces. We have large provinces and we have small provinces. Their interests are all different. We need some leadership to broker all of those interests.

Natural Resources committee  Perhaps I can speak in the context of the west-east pipeline and what it would face in New Brunswick. There is already all-party support at the provincial level, provided that environmental and regulatory requirements are met. I think the public is obviously no less concerned about the environment on the east coast than it is elsewhere, but I think we're starting from a point where there is public sympathy toward the principle that provinces should be able to move their products across provincial boundaries without being unduly constrained.

Natural Resources committee  Yes, I do. I believe it should be used to move multiple products. I think the key benefit of having a corridor is having a route and having a discussion that deals with the local issues, for both pipelines and power lines, etc. Clearly, if you get those broader issues out of the way before you actually have a project, you can do it with less heat, as it were.

Natural Resources committee  I will go until you stop me.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, for giving me the time, literally. Thank you, committee members, for giving me the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon. For much of the last two and a half decades, I've provided advice to governments and industry on Atlantic Canadian energy and natural resource issues.

Natural Resources committee  Yes.