The office of Battlefords-Lloydminster Conservative MP Gerry Ritz has issued a statement in favour of a motion supporting the energy sector and Energy East pipeline.
The motion, described as non-partisan by the Conservatives, had been introduced by opposition critic for Natural Resources, in the House of Commons Monday.
According to the news release, the motion reads as follows: “That, given this time of economic uncertainty, the House:
• recognize the importance of the energy sector to the Canadian economy and support its development in an environmentally sustainable way;
• agree that pipelines are the safest way to transport oil;
• acknowledge the desire for the Energy East pipeline expressed by the provincial governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick; and
• Express its support for the Energy East pipeline currently under consideration.”
The statement from Ritz’s office goes on to blast the Liberals for failing to support the energy sector.
“What is truly concerning is the Liberals squandered the opportunity to show their support of our oil and gas sector, while reducing the environmental carbon footprint created by shipping oil by rail, trucks and tankers,” the release stated. “Instead the Liberals and the NDP unanimously voted down the chance to bring hope and opportunity to a struggling resource sector that has driven the Canadian economy for well over two decades.”
During debate in the House on Monday, Bergen took the Liberals to task for not holding a free vote on the motion. The news release did the same, pointing out the Liberals “whipped the vote, tying the hands of members in Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
“We will continue to push the Liberals to realize the validity of an Energy East pipeline to offset the 86 per cent foreign oil used in Eastern Canada,” the statement concluded.
