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Oil and Gas Industry

Question period focused on the government’s energy plans and Bill C-39 (the Building Canada Strong Act), with the Bloc Québécois arguing that the legislation’s changes to environmental assessment rules serve to build a western oil pipeline at an estimated cost of $40 billion, part of which would be borne by Quebec taxpayers while benefiting mostly American-owned oil companies. Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet also said the government has cut culture funding, dropped the ball on climate change, and shortchanged Quebec’s forestry and aluminum sectors. Prime Minister Mark Carney replied that Quebec is central to a strong Canada, that building a pipeline to the west coast supports Canada’s independence, and pointed to the Churchill Falls clean energy project, which he said Hydro-Québec values at $200 billion, along with the Contrecoeur port and high-speed rail as investments benefiting Quebec.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Yves-François Blanchet

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“I oppose this bill. It weakens environmental rules just to build a pipeline for western oil companies and please Alberta separatists. A plan like this ignores Quebec and will anger people there.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 75 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “he is doing this to appease the Alberta separatists”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Bill C‑39 seems to reveal the Prime Minister’s real priority in building his Canada strong. It is really about building a pipeline for western oil companies by suspending environmental laws. The Prime Minister is not hiding the fact that he is doing this to appease the Alberta separatists. If Bill C‑39 is good for appeasing Alberta separatists, perhaps it will also be good for enraging Quebec sovereignists. Given that this government’s biggest and most costly achievement is the pipeline to American oil companies, what place would Quebec have in its strong Canada?

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Mark Carney

Liberal
“Quebec is central to a strong Canada. That is why we backed the clean energy project at Churchill Falls. Building an oil pipeline to the west coast also protects Canada's independence, which includes Quebec.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Quebec’s place in a strong Canada is at the centre of a strong Canada. That is why this government catalyzed the major project at Churchill Falls, the largest clean energy investment in the history of North America. What is the rationale for building a pipeline from Alberta to the west? It is to support the sovereignty and independence of Canada, including Quebec.

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Yves-François Blanchet

Bloc Québécois
“I oppose the Prime Minister's new pipeline. It will cost Quebeckers at least $9 billion, which is more than Quebec's whole deficit. That money will just go to American owners of western oil companies.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is worth noting that the largest project for Quebec is actually in Newfoundland and Labrador. The cost of the Prime Minister’s new pipeline is currently estimated at $40 billion. We can only imagine how much it will actually end up costing. Quebeckers’ share of the bill for this gift for the American-owned oil companies in western Canada will come out to at least $9 billion. That is more than Quebec’s entire deficit. That means money coming out of the pockets of Quebeckers and going into the pockets of American shareholders of western Canadian oil companies, supposedly to ensure independence from the Americans, even though there is no tariff on oil. If this is the Prime Minister’s idea of a strong Canada, why is he so determined to not—

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Mark Carney

Liberal
“The member is wrong about the Churchill Falls project. Hydro-Québec says it is worth $200 billion to Quebec.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 44 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is a bit surprising, but it seems to me that two lessons are needed here, one in geography and one in economics. The bottom line is that the Churchill Falls project represents $200 billion for Quebec, and that is according to Hydro-Québec.

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Yves-François Blanchet

Bloc Québécois
“The government is spending 40 billion dollars on an oil pipeline that mostly benefits American companies. Meanwhile, it is ignoring climate change and failing to support Quebec's forestry and aluminum industries. Tax money from Quebec should be used to help Quebec, not to fund oil projects.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, he sacrificed billions of dollars earmarked for culture by caving to pressure from the tech giants. In the fight against climate change, he has completely surrendered. He is not providing sufficient support for the aluminum and forestry sectors, yet when a pipeline is involved, there is $40 billion available for oil, which is not even tariffed. The companies are owned by Americans. The profits go to the United States. Moreover, 95% of the oil is purchased by Americans. Pacific link is not a gateway to economic diversification. It is a pipeline for carrying Quebeckers’ money to western Canada and the United States. Does he not realize that Quebeckers’ money should be used to develop Quebec, not to destroy the planet or benefit friends in financial circles?

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Mark Carney

Liberal
“We are spending public money to build up Quebec. Examples include the Churchill Falls project, the port at Contrecoeur, and high-speed rail, which the Bloc supported in the last election.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, once again, Quebeckers’ and Canadians’ money is going to be spent on developing Quebec. The Churchill Falls project and the port at Contrecoeur are two examples. High-speed rail, which the Bloc Québécois supported during the last election, is another example.

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