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e-3210 (Natural resources and energy)

E-petition
Initiated by Mark Jansen from Spruce Grove, Alberta

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • Cancelling the Keystone XL pipeline has resulted in the loss of thousands of well-paying jobs and further diminished Canada’s ability to get our energy to markets;
  • The threatened cancellations of Enbridge Lines 3 and 5 would have a devastating effect on thousands of skilled workers, their families and supporting industries while also resulting in a shortfall in regional fuel supply;
  • The lack of critical pipeline infrastructure from Western Canada to eastern refineries is part of the reason why Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces rely on foreign oil imports;
  • $477 billion has been spent between 1988 and 2019 to bring in foreign crude oil from countries, many of which do not follow our world-class environmental and human rights standards;
  • Canada imported approximately $19 billion of crude oil in 2019 alone;
  • The lack of market access for Canadian oil means Canadian producers often receive far less than market rates;
  • An Energy East pipeline would help eastern refineries turn a higher profit while also allowing Canada to export its ethically produced oil to Europe and Asia;
  • Connecting eastern refineries to western supply would decrease emissions and help move Canada towards becoming energy self-sufficient while also benefiting local, regional and national economies;
  • The energy resource sector is Canada’s largest industry supporting tens of thousands of high-quality jobs across the country; and
  • Canada’s national economy would derive substantial benefit from the ability to market our oil and natural gas products at a fair price.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to make the construction of an Energy East pipeline a national priority.

Response by the Minister of Natural Resources

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Mr. Marc G. Serré

The Government of Canada is deeply disappointed in President Biden’s decision to revoke Keystone XL’s permit. While the government acknowledges that the President’s decision fulfills an election campaign promise, the Government of Canada will not waiver in supporting Canada’s workers. There is deep concern for all Canadians who have lost their jobs, whether as a result of this decision, the pandemic, or other changing economic circumstances. The government continues to support the affected communities that depend on jobs in the energy sector.

Canada maintains a market-based energy policy that relies on the private sector to decide when and where energy projects should be brought forward. TC Energy’s withdrawal of its application to review the proposed Energy East pipeline in 2017 was a business decision. Project proponents develop their applications in a business environment where market factors, such as supply, demand and both product and transport prices are constantly changing.

At this time, there is no project application to build a west-east crude oil pipeline. If a new proposal is put forward, federal regulators will provide a fair and rigorous review process. And the Government of Canada will consider whether to approve a project once the review is complete and public and Indigenous consultations have concluded.

While Canada has the third-largest proven reserves of crude oil in the world, some refiners in central and Eastern Canada do import a portion of their crude oil inputs under certain circumstances. Refiners are therefore not dependent on pipeline access for heavy crude oil producers in Western Canada. This is due to several factors. Regional refinery specialization, for instance, influences the decision to import lighter crude oil. Nearly three-quarters of Canada’s crude oil imports come from the United States due to a highly integrated energy market.

The government is taking action to make Canada a more attractive place to invest and do business. However, it does not intend to pursue the construction of an energy corridor ahead of market factors. Pipeline and transmission line companies are already using a corridor approach. They are taking advantage of existing utilities, rails, and road corridors. This minimizes the impact on the environment and communities, and facilitates regulatory approvals. There are multiple factors to consider in evaluating the feasibility of an energy corridor, including impacts on Indigenous communities and landowners, environmental impacts, as well as costs and timelines.

The Government of Canada remains firmly committed to supporting the competitiveness of the energy sector by working with federal and provincial counterparts, industry and other parties. The government is actively identifying the barriers facing Canada’s oil and gas sector. It is also considering future growth opportunities to connect Canada’s resources to new markets. This is why the government continues to support key infrastructure projects such as the Trans Mountain Expansion project, LNG Canada and Line 3, while ensuring worker safety in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Line 5 is a key conduit in that supply chain. In light of Michigan’s current efforts to shut Line 5, Canada is strongly advocating for the continued safe operation of Line 5 as a critical component of Canada’s energy infrastructure and energy security. The Government of Canada is taking action to set up the energy sector for success today, and help prepare it for an increasingly low carbon future.

Open for signature
March 3, 2021, at 1:56 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
April 2, 2021, at 1:56 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Dane Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland)
April 30, 2021 (Petition No. 432-00900)
Government response tabled
June 14, 2021
Photo - Dane Lloyd
Sturgeon River—Parkland
Conservative Caucus
Alberta