Leader, Ukraine asked Canada for help in breaking Europe’s dependence on natural gas from Russia. Sadly, their plea was ignored. It has become yet another way in which the Trudeau government has failed Ukraine, as well as our European allies and Canadian energy workers. In August 2022, the German chancellor brought a delegation to visit Canada for the specific purpose of obtaining Canadian liquefied natural gas, or LNG. Prime Minister Trudeau dismissed them, saying that when it comes to sending Canada’s natural gas to Europe, “There has never been a strong business case . . . .”

Leader, Germany went on to build an LNG terminal in 194 days and signed a 15-year supply deal with Qatar. Does the Prime Minister now admit that he was wrong?

Thank you for the question.

No, I would not say that the Prime Minister believes that he is wrong. Again, we work closely with Ukraine.

I am struck by the number of questions, though — and I’m glad you are raising important questions about Canada’s support for Ukraine in this chamber. I wonder whether that’s a harbinger of how you are going to vote on the free trade agreement later today as you seek to rehabilitate your reputation from the shameful display last fall, when you voted time and time again against measures of ideological opposition to pricing pollution. Again, I’m only speculating.

Two years ago this week, not long after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine began, the Trudeau Liberals voted against a Conservative motion in the House that called upon the government to undertake measures to ensure natural gas pipelines can be approved and built on Atlantic tidewater.

Leader, isn’t it true the Prime Minister said “no” to helping Europe displace Russian gas because of his government’s anti‑energy policies and agenda?

The answer is “no.” This government has invested both financial and political capital to ensure that Western resources can get to market efficiently and effectively. However, it does require the support and consent of provinces and territories where these facilities will lie, and that remains a challenge in this federation.