David McKenzie
Calgary Signal Hill, Alberta · Conservative · Canada
“Earlier today, the government House leader told us here in the House that the government has a plan that is working, but the member for Nepean has been Prime Minister for over a year, and Canada is in a recession. It is clear to me and to Canadians that whatever the plan is, it is not working.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is always a great honour and privilege to rise in the House and speak on behalf of the citizens of Calgary Signal Hill. First, I want to recognize the hon. member and the comments he made in the House. While I did not know the hon.”
“Recession means economic contraction and shrinkage, not growth. The second suggestion has been that Canada has foreign direct investment at twice the rate of our nearest G7 peer.”
“In the face of this fact, it is not just self-defeating to maintain the west coast tanker ban but simply nonsensical. Denise Mullen, with the Business Council of British Columbia, as I mentioned, said it well.”
“Hall Findlay identified a different approach from that taken by the current Liberal government with Bill C-48 , when she said, “There are better alternatives to C-48, such as setting aside what are called Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas, which have been established in areas such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Islands.” Why d…”
“Industry will build a pipeline and fill it with oil if that oil can be loaded onto tankers on Canada's west coast for export. Therefore, our next logical step is to repeal Bill C-48 , the west coast Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, to allow for the safe and responsible ocean transport of crude oil that has been safely and responsibly produced h…”
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“Mr. Speaker, I appreciated receiving some further information from the members opposite with respect to this bill this afternoon. With great respect to the government party, this bill feels rushed. There are aspects of it that would intrude upon the rights of individuals. I have yet to hear a justification for the intrusion on privacy rights without the benefit of a third party review. It is our judicial process currently that law enforcement agencies, whatever they may be, when they have a suspicion of crime, go before the courts to obtain a warrant prior to accessing the property of individuals. I have yet to hear a justification for why we should set that aside.”
“Canadians demand that the Prime Minister support farmers, tradespeople, energy field workers and their families, who require reliable transportation and must be allowed to choose their vehicles.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government will soon ban the sale of gas and diesel-powered vehicles in our country. Liberals want to force Canadians to buy electric vehicles. It does not matter that the Liberal plan will add $20,000 to the cost of a vehicle. It does not matter that Canada is one of the largest and coldest nations in the world. It does not matter that working Canadians rely on dependable vehicles to earn a living and provide for their families. It does not matter that we do not have the electrical generation or transmission capacity for their idea. It does not matter that EV sales in Canada are on the decline and that both General Motors and Ford have called for scrapping the ban.”
“Canadians call on the Liberal government to repeal their anti-energy laws and not just add more red tape to the pile. Let us stop the self-sabotage.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has spent 10 years strangling Canada's energy sector with red tape and anti-energy laws and policy. The world came to us to ask for our help in supporting its energy security, and the former Liberal prime minister said no, that there was no business case. The fact is that pipelines and infrastructure will not be built because of four Liberal laws: Bill C-69 , the “no new pipelines” act; Bill C-48 , the west coast shipping ban; the job-killing oil and gas production cap; and the industrial carbon tax. Canada does not need the Liberal government to build pipelines. Canada needs the Liberal government to get out of the way so that the private sector can build our infrastructure and, in fact, make Canada an energy superpower.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am going to make this very simple. Is the minister aware that Germany's Chancellor Scholz stated three years ago that Canada was Germany's partner of choice for LNG supply? It is a yes-or-no question.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not think I actually heard an answer to my question in that response, but I would ask the minister to tell us what Canadian products he is prioritizing for new export market development.”
“Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to advise you that I will be splitting time with the member for Beauce and the member for Richmond Hill South . My question is for the Minister of International Trade. He said at the time of his cabinet appointment that Canadian businesses are expecting us to open new global markets for them. Can the minister tell us what new markets he is prioritizing for Canadian businesses?”
“Madam Speaker, there is no question at all that the petroleum industry, centred in Alberta really, indeed in the fine city of Calgary, my friend's riding and mine being a part of that city, is central to the Canadian economy. It supplies jobs and opportunities not just in our province but indeed across Canada with manufacturers in Ontario, Quebec and other provinces that take part in our industry. It makes a central financial contribution. Its importance cannot be ignored and put on the shelf, which has been a long-standing tradition in the federal government under the Liberal Party. It is something that has to change.”
“Madam Speaker, the question of pipelines is a question of the logical pursuit of projects that make sense. Yes, the energy industry is part of the culture in my part of Canada. I would expect all parts of Canada to understand the importance of this critical industry in our country and support those industries as not just part of a way of life, but a common-sense method of funding, financing and empowering the best interests of all Canadians.”
“Madam Speaker, what is most important right now is what the government plans to do with respect to the energy industry, which, as I have stated in this House, is the lifeblood of my community in Calgary Signal Hill. We do not need more empty promises. We need results. We need a commitment to repeal Bill C-69 . We need a commitment to repeal Bill C-48 . We need a scrapping of the production cap on oil and gas. Those are the issues that are of greatest importance in my riding. I would invite the member opposite to make that commitment today on behalf of his party.”
“The former member is now focusing on his golf game full time, and he does so with the thanks and appreciation of his friends and neighbours in the riding that we share. He has been an outstanding example of public service at its best. The residents of Calgary Signal Hill join me in thanking Ron Liepert. Finally, I want to share the contents of a letter I just received from a resident of Calgary Signal Hill. Lily writes: My name is Lily. I am nine years old. I noticed that you won the election in my riding. Congratulations. I wanted to ask you to make good, kind and fair decisions for us. Thank you. These words perfectly lay out the work ahead for the House and the expectation that all Canadians hold for us as parliamentarians.”
“It is not enough to say, “Don't worry, we will do this or we will do that”. My neighbours in Signal Hill require action and results, not empty promises. As I conclude, I wish to take a moment to acknowledge the exemplary service of Ron Liepert, the prior MP for Calgary Signal Hill. After serving as press secretary to the late and great Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed, Ron was elected to the Alberta legislature in 2004. Ron served three premiers over seven-plus years in that institution, acting successively as minister of education, minister of health and wellness, minister of energy and minister of finance. After time in the private sector, Ron was elected to the House with the class of 2015 and served the people of Calgary Signal Hill for just under 10 years.”
“They do not understand why the Liberal government refuses to repeal Bill C-69 , refuses to repeal Bill C-48 and refuses to scrap the production cap on oil and gas. The Minister of Natural Resources recently spoke in Calgary, a prime opportunity to walk away from these three suffocating policies, but there was not a word. In fact, there seems to be an aversion to saying the word “pipeline” out loud in the Liberal government, even with thousands of kilometres of pipelines operating in Canada at this very minute, safely and responsibly, taking petroleum products from production to end users. If a person knows somebody with a habit of over-promising and consistently under-delivering, that person eventually loses faith that they will say what they mean and mean what they say. Today, the answer is no; it is not enough to make more promises.”
“In 2019, the Liberals promised to establish a dedicated agency for defence procurement; that did not happen, and our forces continue to suffer today. In 2021, the Liberals said that they would create a new federal hub to help Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs take advantage of trade agreements that Canada is party to; that did not happen. In 2021, the Liberals promised a $4.5-billion Canadian mental health transfer to the provinces; it did not happen. In 2022, the Liberals promised they would establish a permanent council of economic advisers to provide independent advice to government on long-term growth. Guess what. It did not happen. When the Liberal government says today, “Don't worry, we promise to fix it”, residents of Calgary Signal Hill do worry.”
“I have been in this House over the last number of days as assurances have been given that it is different now, but I am sure that one can forgive the people of Calgary Signal Hill for being skeptical of this sudden about-face from a Liberal government that killed energy east and northern gateway, that banned west coast oil shipments by tanker and that has put in place a regulatory framework for a new project review that our energy industry tells us is utterly unworkable. (1540) Before members opposite rise to tell us that promises have been made and all will be well, perhaps they need to be reminded of some of the promises the Liberal government has made that simply were not kept. In 2015, Justin Trudeau promised electoral reform; that did not happen. In 2019, the Liberals promised they would criminalize elder abuse; that did not happen.”
“For the last 10 years, Canada's energy sector has endured what my colleague from Calgary Heritage referred to a few years ago as a “systemic attack by a government indifferent to the consequences of its decisions.” When we consider that almost 90% of Canada's oil production comes from Alberta and Saskatchewan, it should surprise no one that these attacks have been taken as partisan bullying aimed at our western provinces. As a proud Canadian who loves this country from coast to coast to coast, that saddens me.”
“I agree with my neighbours on the need to work together, and I pledge to keep my focus on what is best for them and what is best for Canadians. Signal Hill is a shining example of the promise of Canada. In the election campaign, I met many proud Canadians who, because of their work in the energy industry, are living the Canadian dream. The energy industry is not just an employer; it is a means of advancement for families. While the Canadian energy sector is the lifeblood of my community, many are worried about their future under a Liberal government that told us one day not that long ago that it was done with building pipelines but then said the next day that it wants us to be an energy superpower.”
“My daughter, Kristen, is a young scientist presently completing her master's in biology, and Alex has recently started his career in finance. They are hard-working and passionate people, and I am so very proud of them. I also extend my thanks to Lianne for cheering me on and being a wonderful mother to our children. During the election campaign that concluded a short five weeks ago, I heard from many people at their doorsteps of the expectation that I will be part of making our country better by working with all members of the House to obtain the best outcome for Canadians. A good idea is a good idea, regardless of which side of the House it arrives in, and members of this House need to focus on ensuring that the best ideas win the day. It is working: The best ideas the Liberals have right now all came from the Conservatives.”
“I am mindful today of their commitment and contributions, and I will remain mindful of these things as I strive to represent them and all residents of Calgary Signal Hill in this House to the very best of my abilities. One does not venture into the challenging waters of politics without the solid support of family. I want to thank my partner in life, Michele, for her rock-solid support of my long-held desire to enter federal politics. Taking on this important role means many days and nights of being apart, but she has never wavered in her support. My two children, Kristen and Alex, have likewise encouraged me to start a new career when others much smarter than me are retiring from theirs. They have believed in me as I have believed in them, and I love them for it.”
“I am thinking about Joanne Birce, an amazing volunteer in our community, who, together with Cynthia Williams, ran our campaign office; Adrian Smith, Stuart McConkey and Tim Wall, our sign crew; Steve McLeod, one of the sharpest minds in politics; Barb Shaw, Changping Shao, Bob MacDonald, Mark Moennich, Bonnie McGinnis, Carrie Wall, Rick Harland and others who gave hour after hour to knock on doors and do whatever needed to be done; and of course, Michael Smith, who kept it all on track and running smoothly. Jeff Sterzuk and Myron Tetreault were tremendously supportive as well, as were friends old and new who gave support in so many ways. These volunteers gave of themselves with no reward other than the betterment of our country and perhaps an occasional cup of coffee or a Timbit.”
“Madam Speaker, it is my honour to rise today in this chamber to speak on behalf of my neighbours and fellow residents of Calgary Signal Hill. Others in this House have commented since the beginning of this 45th Parliament that politics is a team sport, and I for one would not have it any other way. The Conservative team in Calgary Signal Hill is one of the best in our country, and I am proud to be part of that team. I am also grateful to all the individuals who volunteered their time and energy in the general election campaign, and I thank them today.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister yesterday announced his new chief of staff and principal secretary. These are two of the top officials, some of the most powerful people in Ottawa, directing policy. The new chief of staff wants to kill oil and gas and says it needs to be done through Brookfield. David Lametti, who was Trudeau's justice minister, oversaw our broken bail system and kept Bill C-5 's and Bill C-75 's laws on the books. Why is the Prime Minister surrounding himself with former Trudeau officials who want to keep oil and gas in the ground and keep soft-on-crime laws on the books?”