BY BOB ZIMMER
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP
On January 20, on the same day that he was sworn in, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking the permit for the Keystone XL expansion. Less than 24 hours later news came that TC Energy Corp. would be eliminating more than 1,000 construction jobs as a result of this decision.
Already it is clear that the cancellation of Keystone will have a devastating impact on thousands of our energy workers and their families, not to mention Canada’s national economy.
At a time when we need as many people back to work, in every part of Canada, in every sector, as quickly as possible the loss of this important project only makes that harder.
The prime minister and his cabinet should have done more to stand up for this project, our world-class energy sector and the men and women who depend on it to provide for their families.
It is why we Conservatives have been calling on the prime minister to focus his immediate attention on the Keystone XL pipeline since the election of this new administration and that we expected him to emphasize the importance of the project and the benefits it would provide Canadian and American workers.
My Conservative colleagues also pressed Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan on what further action the Liberal government was taking to stand up for the project and Canadian workers when the minister testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources in December.
For years, we have been calling on the Liberal government to be a champion for Canadian energy and workers. Time and time again they have failed.
Instead, the prime minister and now President Biden seem to be content in continuing to import oil from countries like Saudi Arabia.
Here in Canada, we have the most sustainable and environmentally responsible natural resources in the world. Securing jobs in the resource sector is an essential part of getting Canadians back to work and to Canada’s economic recovery.
President Biden’s decision to cancel Keystone XL has had a direct negative impact on Canadian families already hurt by the current economic crisis. It will also make it harder to get a fair, market price for our world-class natural resources.
It is important during these trying times that Canada has the leadership to move our country forward. We have a lot to be hopeful for but that hope rests on the necessity of having a responsible government in Ottawa. Canada needs a Conservative government that will stand up and put Canadians and Canadian energy first.
The world needs more Canada!