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Oil and Gas Industry

In Question Period on the oil and gas industry, Bloc Québécois members said the spring economic update gives billions of dollars in support and tax credits to oil companies, including an expanded carbon storage credit covering enhanced oil recovery, while providing nothing for small businesses facing new U.S. tariffs, the media sector, or seniors facing rising costs, and asked why oil companies come first. Liberal ministers replied that the economic update makes progress on climate change and nature protection, citing finalized methane regulations, rising electric vehicle sales, a marine conservation area in James Bay, and international climate investments; the industry minister said she had spoken with Quebec’s economy minister about agreed projects and that support for steel and aluminum producers affected by U.S. tariffs would be announced.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Yves Perron

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“The government gives billions of dollars in tax breaks and public funds to oil companies instead of helping small businesses. Small businesses might close because of new American tariffs. Why are oil companies getting all the help?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are continuing to surrender to climate change in their economic update. There is not a penny to help our businesses cope with the new U.S. tariffs introduced on April 6, but meanwhile, oil companies are breaking out the champagne. The Liberals have poured $10 billion in public funds into trying to help them find business partners, not to mention another $25 billion through their so-called sovereign wealth fund, and they are extending the tax credits. It is our SMEs that are at risk of closing their doors, not oil companies. Why are the oil companies the ones that are getting all the help?

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Julie Dabrusin

Liberal
“Our plan to fight climate change is working. We set new rules to cut methane pollution, and electric car sales went up by 47 percent. We will keep doing this work.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what we see in the spring economic update is that we are making progress in the fight against climate change and in protecting nature. We have finalized the methane regulations, which will reduce emissions by 400 megatonnes. We have an auto strategy. In February, EV sales increased by 47% after we implemented that strategy. We will continue to be a leader in the fight against climate change, and we will continue this work.

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Yves Perron

Bloc Québécois
“The government is giving nearly $40 billion to oil companies, but nothing to the media, seniors, or small businesses. I want to know why oil companies come before everyone else.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have enough money to provide nearly $40 billion in aid to oil companies in the economic update, but not a penny for the media, which is in the midst of a crisis and facing widespread layoffs; not a penny for seniors struggling with the rising cost of living; and not a penny for our small and medium-sized businesses facing U.S. tariffs. On the other hand, when it comes time to say yes to the oil companies, the Liberals rush to do so. Why do billionaire oil companies come before everyone else?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“I talked with Quebec's economy minister today, and we agreed on key projects for Quebec. We will soon announce help for steel and aluminum businesses. They are hurting because of how the White House uses tariffs, and we will support them.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 82 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “I do not think he even believes his own words when he reads them”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleague is kidding. I do not think he even believes his own words when he reads them. This morning, I spoke with my new colleague, my new counterpart, Quebec’s minister of economy, innovation and energy, Bernard Drainville. We have agreed on several projects that are fundamental to Quebec’s economy. Furthermore, we will very soon be announcing assistance for our small and medium-sized businesses in the steel and aluminum sectors. We know that the White House’s interpretation of tariffs has changed. We know that businesses across the country, including in Quebec, are being affected. That is why we will be there to help them.

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Patrick Bonin

Bloc Québécois
“The Liberals want to spend $14.5 billion on a tax credit that helps companies pump out more oil. How can they justify paying to produce more oil?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals claim that producing more oil will have no environmental impact thanks to carbon capture and storage. In their economic update, however, they have transformed their miracle solution into a new problem. They are expanding their carbon storage tax credit to include enhanced oil recovery. That means injecting CO2 into the ground to pump more dirty oil out. They want us to pay for that with a $14.5-billion tax credit, to boot. How can they justify that?

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Julie Dabrusin

Liberal
“Our spring economic plan protects nature and fights climate change. It protects a water area in James Bay, funds global climate projects, and cuts methane.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 24 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if people want to keep talking about our spring economic update, I am sure my colleague saw the nature strategy in it. The strategy includes a marine conservation area in James Bay. I should think the member would really like that. We will keep going. We are once again investing in international climate finance. Canada is a global leader in international action, in methane and in nature conservation. That is what we see in the economic update.

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