QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Natural Resources
Energy Sector
October 9, 2025
You are absolutely right, minister. We are building at the slowest pace that we have ever built in the history of this country.
Minister, in September, more than 90 leaders from Canada’s energy sector, including those from Suncor, Enbridge, TC Energy and Canadian Natural Resources Limited, or CNRL, wrote to Prime Minister Carney for the third time, calling for five clear changes: streamline regulations, speed up project approvals, repeal anti‑development laws, remove the oil and gas emissions cap and promote Indigenous investment. These leaders, who represent millions of jobs and billions in economic benefits, said that they share the vision of a Canadian energy superpower.
Six months later, nothing has changed in any of these conditions. Why has your government not implemented the changes that the industry has requested?
Respectfully, senator, I think it is interesting that Premier Smith — who tends to be a pretty harsh critic — said she has never been as optimistic about the prospects for Canada. She is very constructive in working with this government. I think we seem to be doing a reasonably good job on that front.
Minister, I will repeat: Can you tell me which one of these five conditions you have ticked off: streamline regulations, speed up project approvals, repeal anti-development laws, remove the oil and gas emissions cap and promote Indigenous investment? Has any one of these happened?
This letter was not one of opposition, minister. It was an offer of national collaboration with the government, signed by those who create this country’s wealth and want to work with your government. Why did you ignore these leaders, minister? Was Mark Carney’s promise to make Canada an energy superpower merely a campaign talking point? And I say that as someone who has been in politics for a long time. We need to deliver in order to maintain credibility with the Canadian electorate.
Senator, I have been in business for a long time, and I’ve been building things for a long time. This government is making it easier and more effective to build. As the Prime Minister has said, it’s not about “if” — it is about “how.”
We passed Bill C-5, which included the Building Canada Act, with the support of the opposition. There are five criteria laid out in there that we are working toward. We’ve already announced the first set of projects. The second set of projects will be announced by Grey Cup day, the third set will be announced by Stanley Cup day and then we will have another set by World Cup day.
