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441-00035 (Natural resources and energy)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas, the actions of the Government led by former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau through the National Energy Program led to an intentional systematic assault on Alberta's ability to operate as an equal partner in the Canadian Federation, and further that those actions had a detrimental economic and societal impact on Alberta and its population that persist today.

Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the Government to take the following actions to address the situation:

1. Have the current Prime Minister of Canada apologize for the actions of Former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and his Governments destructive the National Energy Program;

2. Affirm the rights of provinces to develop, manage, and market their natural resources.

Response by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Jennifer O'Connell

The Government of Canada recognizes that Alberta is indispensable to the social and economic fabric of Canada and it is committed to supporting Alberta families, workers and businesses. The Government provides significant financial support to all provinces and territories to support social programs.

The Government of Canada is committed to fostering productive relationships with all provinces and territories, including Alberta.

The Government recognizes that Albertans have faced economic challenges in recent years due to declines in commodity prices and limited capacity to export products, including oil.

The Government took significant action to assist Alberta’s economy with the 2018 purchase of Trans Mountain Corporation, which is overseeing the completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion project, which will significantly increase Alberta’s oil export capacity.

We are committed to get Canadian resources to new markets, and offer unwavering support to those in Canada’s natural resource sectors who have faced tough times recently.

The Government has also worked very closely with the Government of Alberta to manage the current COVID-19 situation in a number of areas. The Government is providing support to Albertans and Alberta businesses, including the oil and gas industry.

The Government recognizes that energy-producing regions have faced the compounding challenges of COVID-19 and the shock to oil prices. In addition to a range of programs to support individuals and businesses, the Government has notably provided $1 billion to the Government of Alberta to support the province’s work to clean up inactive oil and gas wells across the province and $200 million to the Alberta Orphan Wells Association to support its work to clean up orphan oil and gas wells and well sites across Alberta.

We know that Canada only succeeds when every region and province – including Alberta – succeeds.

Presented to the House of Commons
Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan)
December 6, 2021 (Petition No. 441-00035)
Government response tabled
January 31, 2022
Photo - Garnett Genuis
Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan
Conservative Caucus
Alberta

26 signatures

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.