Carol Anstey
Long Range Mountains, Newfoundland and Labrador · Conservative · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister has said affordability is the best that it has been in decades, even though some Canadians are crowdfunding their way through this cost of living crisis. He is so out of touch. The costly Liberal Prime Minister is the only G20 leader to drag his nation into a recession.”
“Mr. Speaker, targets may not matter to that Liberal minister, but disabled Canadians rely on those supports and they certainly deserve better. Large areas of Gros Morne National Park are covered in dry timber and at risk of wildfire because of the spruce budworm outbreak.”
“They have exhausted their savings, maxed out their credit cards and refinanced their homes just to keep up with food inflation, rising rents and soaring mortgage payments. Clearly, the plan is not working.”
“At a critical time when we need more supply and builders are asking for less government, the Liberals are focusing on building a new bureaucracy that is simply an expensive exercise in rebranding.”
“Do not take it from me. A witness from the Ontario Home Builders' Association testified, “As the industry association representing home builders...we know that builders are the experts and the ones who are best suited to construct the homes we need, not the government” and “the path forward is not for government to step into the role of t…”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, who has strong ties to Newfoundland and Labrador, for that question. When we build out government bureaucracy, we build out the size of government and we increase government spending, which drives up inflation, which drives up the cost of everything, including the cost of homebuilding.”
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“Mr. Speaker, the member touches on something a lot of people feel in rural communities, especially coastal communities, which is that they have been left behind by the Liberal government. The member is absolutely correct that the fishery is super important to my riding, which is why I brought forward a petition on small craft harbours, because I believe in investing in our fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. I am sure it is also super important in Quebec.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am happy to answer my hon. colleague's question. Specifically, I will give a real-life example with respect to the government's idea about investment and programs. I reached out to all the schools in my riding about the school food program. Very few of the schools know anything about it, and very few are getting any benefit from it. I will also point to an investment the Liberals made in a milk processing plant in my home community. They announced it in 2021 and again in 2022, but it never ever came to fruition. I would love to have all this hope for the future, but the Liberals' solutions do not work.”
“When a government spends recklessly and drives up inflation, it is rural Canadians who pay the price the worst, and when the same government turns a blind eye to the cost of living in places like mine, it risks losing the very communities that built this country. It is not compassion to spend what we do not have and leave the bill to those who can least afford it. It is not fairness when rural families pay more simply for wanting to live where they were born. We call on the Prime Minister to work with us to build a positive, hopeful and affordable future, one where families in the Long Range Mountains can look at their grocery bill, their oil delivery and their tax statement and say that they can breathe easier, they can stay and they can build in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
“Economist Mike Moffatt said he had “inadequately prepared [himself] for how disappointed [he] would be.” Even the people who wanted to believe in the government’s promises are losing faith. Wherever Newfoundlanders and Labradorians go, whether it is Alberta, Ontario or anywhere in between, we always find a way to gather together, to share stories and to stay connected, because we have a pride of place and a love that never leaves us. They ask for very little: only a fair shot at building a life where they were born. They deserve a government that recognizes their struggle and respects their effort. They deserve a budget that makes it possible to stay, raise their children and hope again.”
“Conservatives brought forward a plan to bring food costs down, end the food packaging tax, remove the clean fuel regulation that adds 17¢ a litre to gas and diesel, and stop inflationary deficits, but Liberals voted it down. Only Conservatives will stop the hidden taxes on food and restore common sense to affordability. Conservatives want an affordable budget for an affordable life. On behalf of the Canadians whom the Liberals have priced out of food, homes and hope, we oppose this costly deficit budget that gambles away Canada’s future. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business called this budget “a missed opportunity to provide meaningful tax relief”. The Large Urban Centre Alliance said that it “relies on backward-looking data” that hides the housing crisis.”
“He returned to school, and he did everything right to get ahead, but he is barely getting by. The cost of everything keeps going higher and higher. His everyday bills are piling up, and he is worried about his health because healthy food is priced out of his budget. Every dollar the government spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians. Statistics Canada confirmed again this month that food inflation is still rising. According to the food professor, Canada is the only G7 country where food inflation has risen for four months in a row. Between March and September 2025, strawberries went up 25%; beef, 25% and coffee, 20%. Families are paying more for every staple.”
“In our province, many of our goods and services are shipped to us. Shipping costs, fuel surcharges and inflation pile one on top of the other. That is why food prices in Newfoundland and Labrador are among the highest in the country, and that is why families are cutting back on essentials. While families are paying more, this budget makes life even more expensive. In a province already struggling with out-migration, it makes it harder for young people to stay and build their future at home. We are losing far too many of our young people to the mainland because they cannot make it at home. If a paycheque cannot cover food, fuel and rent, families end up leaving the place they love. Ernest Snooks returned to the province in 2015 from Alberta, and his goal was to build a future in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
“The Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador shared one case where a mother was so hungry she ate food cold in her car because it was the only meal she had that day. Food First NL says 40% of children in Newfoundland and Labrador now live in food-insecure households. That is one of the highest rates in the country. When parents are going hungry so kids can eat, it is not economic progress; it is a sign of a government that has lost touch with reality. (1230) These are hard-working people who want a government that understands what life costs in Newfoundland and Labrador; a government that knows that one cannot fight inflation by spending more; a government that realizes that when the cost of fuel rises, the cost of everything else rises; and a government that realizes that baked-in, hidden food taxes raise the price of food.”
“Catherine Alexander from Stephenville Crossing said she now buys only what is on sale and grows her own vegetables to offset grocery costs. She told me she does not buy fruit at full price anymore and cannot go out to eat because she simply cannot afford to. These are not isolated stories; they are a mirror of what is happening right across Canada. Nationally, food bank use has doubled since 2019. That should be shocking to every member of the House. Recently, a report from my province told this story clearly. Food bank volunteers say families who used to come once a month now come every two weeks, and many parents are deliberately skipping meals so their children can eat.”
“From transportation to groceries and home heating, costs are climbing, and it is everyday Canadians who are paying the price for the out-of-touch government. People are trying to make ends meet; they work and pay their taxes but still come up short because Ottawa keeps spending more but delivering less. Families in Port aux Basques, Stephenville and Deer Lake are working hard. They are doing everything right, yet they are falling further behind. One senior from Brig Bay told my office that every month the decisions get harder: eat or heat, and buy groceries or pay the power bill. Greta Gillingham from Trout River told me her survivor’s allowance was cut by almost $300 a month, leaving her struggling to pay for the basics while the cost of everything continues to rise.”
“The witness warned, “If you continue down this road, you will harm and destroy the auto industry and ruin the lives of a whole lot of people in rural towns all across the country. My store won't be profitable enough to survive if these mandates are enforced. ‘A family business put out of business after 45 years by the government’ will be the headline.” Despite these warnings, the government will not commit to removing the mandates, which do not work for rural Canada. They could have been removed in this budget, but they were not. In regions where winter temperatures plunge, distances are vast and charging stations are few and far between, keeping these mandates only makes life more expensive.”
“The Prime Minister broke every promise he made just months ago. He promised a $62-billion deficit but delivered a $78-billion deficit instead. He promised to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio, yet he raised it. He promised to spend less but is spending $90 billion more. To put it into perspective, that is $5,400 in inflationary spending for every household. He promised more investment, yet his own budget shows it is collapsing quarter after quarter. The budget and the government are especially ignoring the realities faced by rural Canadians. As a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, I hear directly from the people being left behind. The committee heard testimony today regarding the EV mandates, from a business owner and employer living in a rural community. His message could not have been clearer.”
“Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberals released their 10th budget, with the costliest deficit outside COVID and double what the previous Liberal government left behind. Canadians are paying more and are getting less. This budget drives up the cost of living for every Canadian on food, on homes and on everything that families buy. For people back home in Newfoundland and Labrador, the cost feels heavier than ever. We face the highest unemployment in the country and the fastest net out-migration rate relative to our population. We have the oldest demographic and some of the highest food prices in Canada. When Ottawa overspends, we feel it. Our premier said yesterday, “[The] federal budget...raises far more questions than answers when it comes to whether or not it will benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.” I could not agree more.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his passion; it resonates with me. When the government responds on affordability with the programs it is offering, what is the reality of that in terms of the member's constituents and the impacts of these programs?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Quebec for bringing up the fisheries. A lot of my constituents have been reaching out since the budget was released, specifically with respect to the Atlantic fisheries fund. I am wondering if my colleague across the way could speak to it and to whether or not it is something that would continue. It is very important to Newfoundland and Labrador.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Liberals make excuses, food bank use in Canada has exploded. The new HungerCount report shows over 2.2 million monthly visits, a 5% increase from last year and double since 2019. One in five food bank clients has a job, but they still cannot afford to feed their family. In Newfoundland and Labrador, local food banks are overwhelmed. Families are lining up earlier and leaving with less because the shelves are bare. Once again, will the Prime Minister stop trying to engineer a costly election on a costly budget and, instead, scrap the fuel tax?”
“Mr. Speaker, every dollar the government spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians through higher taxes and inflation. The Liberals are taxing food at every stage, from farm to fork, with their industrial carbon tax, their fuel regulations and their plastics ban. The Liberals' fuel regulations alone will raise the cost of gas and diesel by up to 17¢ a litre and cost the economy $9 billion. Newfoundland and Labrador families are already feeling it and saying that getting ahead feels impossible. Will the Prime Minister stop trying to engineer a costly election on a costly budget, and instead scrap the fuel tax?”
“Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to rise today on behalf of the residents of Long Range Mountains regarding small craft harbours. These harbours are the heartbeat of coastal communities. Not only do people earn a living from these areas, but they are also a community gathering place, a part of our history and a part of our culture. The petitioners are concerned that without investment in these harbours, they will not be fully safe or operational. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to double the funding for small craft harbours, to improve communication with harbour authorities and local communities, and to ensure long-term investments that support jobs and modern infrastructure in our coastal region. I am proud to table this petition on their behalf.”
“Conservatives will support Bill C-241 at this stage because we believe in common-sense solutions that protect Canadians but also respect taxpayers. Let us build a strategy that does not grow government but grows Canada's capacity to face whatever tomorrow brings.”
“lt gives us an opportunity to modernize how we prepare and respond, without adding more red tape or waste. At the environment committee, Conservatives will focus on outcomes, not optics. We will push for measurable timelines, standardized data sharing, integration of indigenous water knowledge and transparent reporting to Parliament. We will hold the government accountable to ensure that the strategy delivers real results for Canadians. Canadians understand the value of preparation. They know that good planning beats panic and that co-operation achieves more than division. We cannot control the storms, but we can control how ready we are when they come. That is what leadership looks like: practical, prepared and proud to protect Canadians.”
“Rural and agricultural voices must be part of the design. Conservatives have long supported practical environmental stewardship. Since 2019, our party has called for co-operation with the provinces and territories to identify and protect key aquifers and improve water quality. Bill C-241 fits within that vision, provided it remains grounded in accountability and respect for jurisdiction. Across Canada, from the farm fields of the Prairies to the coastal communities of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canadians share a deep respect for water. lt sustains our families, our farms and our communities. lt also reminds us that strong planning and strong partnerships are essential. We are learning that water can be unpredictable. Storms are stronger, droughts last longer and the costs continue to rise. That is why the legislation matters.”
“Before entering public life, I spent years working in real estate, first in sales and later as a broker leading a team of agents across our communities. l spent countless hours looking at market data, helping my agents and clients understand the real costs of home ownership and the risks that come with it. l have seen first-hand how a single flood or storm can wipe out years of investment and how confusion over insurance or lack of affordable coverage leaves families exposed. That is why this issue matters to me, because protecting homes means protecting people's stability and their future. The strategy must serve all of Canada, from large cities to rural, coastal and northern communities. When a road washes out on the Great Northern Peninsula or a drought forces farmers to import feed at enormous cost, the impact is equally real.”
“A national forecasting strategy done well can give farmers, engineers and local officials access to reliable data before a crisis hits. When everyone has the same information, decisions are faster and communities are safer. Forecasting is not political; it is practical. By improving our ability to anticipate risk, we can prevent hardship, lower recovery costs and protect Canadians before disaster strikes. We also believe that private insurance should be the first line of protection; taxpayers should not be footing the bill after every flood or drought. With accurate mapping and forecasting, insurers can assess risk fairly, homeowners can find affordable coverage, and public disaster funds can focus on the truly extraordinary events. That is fairness and fiscal responsibility working together.”
“Conservatives believe that protecting the environment and growing the economy can and must go hand in hand. At committee, we will press for guarantees that this strategy respects provincial and indigenous authority, builds on existing systems and delivers measurable results. Floods and droughts may not stop at borders, but jurisdiction matters. The provinces and indigenous governments already manage their own water systems. Ottawa's role should be to coordinate and connect, not to control. Canadians do not need more taxes to change the weather. They need a government that helps them prepare for it. (1830) Canada already leads the world in clean energy and responsible resource development. We should build on that success through partnership, not punishment.”
“A strong forecasting strategy could help those same producers act sooner to protect crops, animals and livelihoods before the damage is done. Better information leads to faster action and smarter recovery. Information saves dollars and early warning signs saves lives. That is why we will support Bill C-241 at second reading, so that it can move forward to committee. We agree in principle, but we will insist that this is done responsibly. This strategy must use existing departmental resources. Canadians cannot afford another bureaucracy. It has to be about coordination and efficiency, not expansion. As a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, I have seen how effective policy depends on fiscal discipline and respect for jurisdiction.”
“Every one of these events is a reminder that, whether there is too much water or too little, the results can be equally devastating. This year, drought has been the challenge. Producers across Newfoundland and Labrador have endured one of the most difficult seasons in memory. Dairy, forage, fruit, vegetable, berry and honey producers have watched feed supplies vanish and transport costs soar. They are resilient, but they cannot do it alone. Earlier this month, I wrote to the Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador and to the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture to support their members during this crisis. I pointed to the AgriRecovery program as proof that co-operation between federal and provincial governments works when disaster strikes.”
“People found themselves cut off from emergency services, food and work simply because every road in and out was underwater or damaged. When the road is gone, so is the ability to move, and families are left waiting and worrying. We also remember the devastation caused by hurricane Fiona in Port aux Basques in September 2022. Homes were torn away from their foundations and shorelines were carved away. We are still rebuilding today. Entire neighbourhoods were changed forever. That is how quickly water can reshape a community and the lives within it. Even before that, in November of 2021, storm after storm soaked western Newfoundland and Cape Breton, causing destructive flooding, damaged roads and infrastructure collapse.”
“Its purpose is to improve how Canada gathers and shares data to identify infrastructure at risk and strengthen our ability to anticipate and respond to extreme water events before they become disasters. That is a goal every Canadian can understand. Whether they live beside the Fraser River, the Red, the Humber, or along the rugged coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, every Canadian knows what water can give and what it can take away. It connects us and sustains us. When it turns against us, it reminds us of how small we are against the power of nature. It also reminds us how strong we are when we face it together. In Long Range Mountains, we have lived that truth many times. This past June, a severe rainstorm washed out major sections of road on the great northern peninsula, isolating multiple coastal communities.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Long Range Mountains and on behalf of Canadians across the country to speak to Bill C-241 , an act to establish a national strategy respecting flood and drought forecasting. In Newfoundland and Labrador, our connection to water is part of our identity. In fact, we are one of only a few places in the world that has an island on an island on an island. We are literally surrounded by water. It shapes our history, our communities and our livelihoods. It is a part of who we are. This bill would require the Minister of Environment to work with provinces, territories, indigenous governments, municipalities and industry partners to develop a coordinated national strategy for forecasting floods and droughts.”
“In Stephenville, Catherine told my office she buys only what is on sale and that fresh fruit is a luxury. She grows vegetables so she can eat. She does everything right and still falls behind every month. The time for action is now. Canadians deserve more than excuses.”
“Mr. Speaker, more than two million visits were made to food banks in March, with twice as many Canadians needing help to eat than in 2019. In a nation as rich in resources as we are, this is unacceptable. Nearly one in five people who turn to a food bank is employed. They go to work every day and still cannot afford groceries. One third are children. Seniors are showing up in record numbers. Food banks are doing everything they can, but they are being pushed beyond their limits. They are spending more than twice what they did just a few years ago to keep shelves stocked. Recent reporting shows that grocery prices in Newfoundland and Labrador rose about 4% last year. That may sound small, but for families already stretched thin, it means they go without.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have not been in the House very long, but often when we are up speaking and proposing solutions, we hear a comment from the member opposite about something that happened decades ago. I am curious to know what hope that offers the next generation, as outlined by my colleague's speech.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Liberals brag, more and more people line up at the food banks in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Liberals voted against our motion to reduce food costs. It is not good enough. Sneaky hidden Liberal food taxes, like the clean-fuel regulations, are driving up food costs, and since March, food prices have risen 48% faster in Canada than in the U.S. This year alone, food banks are expecting four million visits. When will the Prime Minister end his inflationary spree and finally make life affordable for Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal government, everything is costing more, especially food. New food inflation data shows prices in Atlantic Canada are climbing faster than the national average, and in Newfoundland and Labrador, people are under tremendous pressure. Our province already has the highest unemployment rate in the country, yet families are being hit again at the grocery store. Beef is up 14%, sugar is up 9% and meat is up 6%. Runaway Liberal spending is fuelling inflation, and every dollar Liberals waste makes life harder. When will the government stop the reckless spending and start making life affordable for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' $742-million gun grab continues to be mired in controversy after the minister admitted on leaked audio that it will not work. In Cape Breton, residents are angered by the program being launched, and the local police union was left in the dark and not consulted. Now we find out that the Liberal minister is the brother-in-law of the police chief overseeing the program. Will the Liberals now admit that the only way they can get police forces to participate is to hire their family?”
“Conservatives offered a simple solution to stop the Liberal taxes on food and they shamefully voted against it. We will keep fighting for Canadians because we know they cannot afford another Liberal broken promise.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister asked to be judged by the prices at the grocery store. Long Range Mountains families are working hard to keep food on the table, yet each visit brings shock at the checkout. The price of staples has soared because of the Liberal government's hidden taxes. Those baked-in taxes are clear: the industrial carbon tax on fertilizer and farm equipment, the inflation tax from money-printing deficits, carbon tax two and now the food packaging tax that makes everyday necessities even more expensive. Edward, a senior in the community of Irishtown, told me that he cannot afford a steak dinner even once in a while because it costs him over $50. Canadians are spending $800 more on food this year and local food banks are seeing record demand.”
“Mr. Speaker, the real truth is that the Prime Minister has been on this job for half a year, and grocery prices have already become more unaffordable. The so-called struggle meals, like Hamburger Helper and Kraft Dinner, are trending as Canadians struggle with the high price of food, all because of things like food packaging taxes and the industrial carbon tax. Canadians are judging the Prime Minister, just as he expected. They are asking, pleading, for prices to go down immediately. Again, will the Prime Minister stop taxing groceries so Canadians can afford to eat?”
“Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians in higher Liberal taxes and inflation. Let us start with the grocery aisle. The Prime Minister promised that he would judged by Canadians' experience at the grocery store, and since he took office, food prices have been rising 50% faster here than in the U.S. Greta from Trout River, a widow, reached out saying that prices on everything have gone through the roof. She cannot afford to eat. Will the Liberal Prime Minister stop taxing groceries so Canadians can afford to put food on their tables?”
“Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister once said Canadians would judge him by the costs at the grocery store. Well, the verdict is in. I hear regularly from people in Trout River, Corner Brook and Stephenville; they are all struggling to put food on the table. Across Canada, 25% of households are now food-insecure. In Newfoundland and Labrador, we face the highest rate of child food insecurity in the country. Families are making impossible choices between heating their home, paying rent or putting food on their table. Meanwhile, grocery prices keep climbing. In just three months, beef is up 33%, canned soup is up 26%, grapes are up 24% and coffee is up 22%. Since the Liberals took office, food inflation has risen by 40%. This is yet another Liberal broken promise. Canadians are hungry for change, and Conservatives will bring it.”
“Mr. Speaker, regardless of the career of the member, the harsh reality is that Newfoundland and Labrador families are struggling just to eat. Nearly 40% of children live in food-insecure households, and single-parent families experience a 56% food insecurity rate. That is the highest in the country. Thousands of kids and parents are depending on food banks just to get by. Meanwhile, food prices continue to climb. Does the Prime Minister understand that his broken promises and skyrocketing deficits are making food unaffordable for all families?”
“Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Prime Minister spends adds to the deficit and pushes the price of food higher for Canadian families. In fact, the Parliamentary Budget Officer revealed that the deficit will be higher than was promised just six months ago. Runaway deficits drive up the price of everything we buy. This is a tax on working families. The Prime Minister said that we could judge him by the prices at the grocery store. When will the Prime Minister finally admit that this is another broken promise?”
“Madam Speaker, I am proud to say that those in the oil and gas sector are constantly creating technology and innovation to reduce emissions. They are leaders in this industry. We can reduce emissions in this country if we allow them to thrive and move forward in this space.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague. We share a lot of commonalities. A lot of people from Newfoundland and Labrador end up over in Alberta. The member is exactly right. Regardless of the commentary or the narrative that gets spun around these conversations, the reality is that proponents tell us time and time again that this is the problem and that this is why the sector is not growing. The emissions cap needs to be scrapped in order to signal that there is investment opportunity in this offshore sector, and that is exactly what needs to happen for us to prosper in this space.”
“Madam Speaker, the reality is that it is not about investment; it is about removing the emissions cap. This is signalling to investors that once the Bay du Nord project goes through, there is no more space. We have all kinds of potential. The government wants to leave it in the ground. It does not want to develop this resource. It is fine to say what is happening over on your side of the country. I am happy the member is seeing that development, but removing this emissions cap is crucial to our industry on my side of the country. That is what I represent, what I will stand up for and what I speak for.”
“They face lost jobs, lost investment, lost opportunities and a government more interested in ideology than results. Only Conservatives will stand up for our workers, our energy and our country. This is the Prime Minister 's moment to put words into action. By voting with Conservatives on this motion, he can finally demonstrate that he truly supports Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore industry, a sector with direct access to tidewaters that aligns perfectly with his mandate to diversify Canada's trade. He can stand behind Canadian workers, secure investment and deliver prosperity for our province. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador are watching. Now is the time to act.”
“The government needs to answer this: Is the emissions cap still its policy, or is it finally willing to scrap it in favour of measures that would actually attract investment instead of driving it away? Canadians know what is at stake. Nearly a million people across this country rely on the energy sector for well-paying jobs. Communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia depend on this sector for opportunity and growth. Our energy industry is also the single largest private sector investor in clean technology; it is driving innovation and cutting emissions while upholding the highest standards of environmental protection. After 10 years of Liberal government and anti-growth policies, what do Canadians face?”
“Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil and gas sector represents a unique opportunity: high-paying jobs, billions in GDP, access to tidewaters and a direct contribution to Canada's trade diversification. However, instead of supporting this potential, the government has layered on regulatory uncertainty and maintained an emissions cap that functions as a production cap. Families will continue to leave our communities in search of opportunity, and investors will be forced to look elsewhere. Repealing the cap is not just a policy choice; it is a chance to signal that Canada values its workers, its provinces and its energy future. This motion is a clear step towards restoring certainty, growth and prosperity for Newfoundland and Labrador, and the country as a whole.”
“I have spoken directly with proponents in this sector, including OilCo, the provincial Crown corporation responsible for managing our offshore. OilCo CEO Jim Keating calls the federal government's emissions cap an “investment killer”. That is what Keating told reporters at the Energy NL Conference in St. John's. This policy creates deep uncertainty in investment decisions, because companies cannot and will not commit billions of dollars when they do not know if Ottawa will allow them to produce the energy that Canada and the world need. (1730) The facts are undeniable. The Liberal government has imposed policies that stifle investment, drive away capital and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working Canadians.”
“He promised to stand up for workers but, instead, stands up for ideology. This matters deeply to my province. This sector has the potential to be a cornerstone of Canada's trade diversification strategy, because offshore oil is one of the few Canadian resources with direct access to tidewater, allowing us to sell to markets beyond the United States. Under the Liberal government, the story of Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore is one of decline. Since 2016, offshore capital spending has dropped by 60%. This year, not a single new exploration well has been drilled. Meanwhile, other offshore jurisdictions, such as Norway and Brazil, are attracting billions in new investment. Why? It is because their governments provide certainty, clarity and confidence for investors. Here in Canada, we provide confusion, delays and regulatory paralysis.”