Sarnia-Lambton's MP believes the federal government's 'just transition' bill could put her riding at a disadvantage.
Marilyn Gladu raised concerns about the incoming legislation, aimed at transitioning oil and gas workers into the “green” economy, during a roundtable discussion with Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson in Sarnia this month.
Gladu said she was very pleased that Wilkinson took the time to speak with trade unions, the construction workforce, the Chamber of Commerce and many of the leading industries in the area.
"Concerns were raised about the job loss [from the legislation]. People don't see a plan currently to create these well-paying jobs that they're going to move to and so they'll be interested to see that."
Earlier in the year, Wilkinson announced that the new legislation would be tabled in 2023.
Gladu said she would like to see the government take a very slow pace on the matter and that this is not the time to put more pressure on oil and gas as the country heads into a recession.
"The government is talking about spending between $125-billion and $400-billion a year on this at a time when the Bank of Canada has been clear that we need to stop inflationary spending."
Gladu felt that the round-table discussion was a good cross-section of input for the minister to receive ahead of the bill's introduction.
"I mean, the minister said nice words but the Liberals always say nice words, and what have they done to the oil and gas business? Well the carbon tax and then the clean fuel standard and a number of regulatory burdens that aren't present in other jurisdictions. So my concern is that although they will be well intentioned, they will come again and put us at a disadvantage in Sarnia-Lambton."
Gladu said she would argue that the opportunity to grow fossil fuels, like the LNG contract for $59-billion that was given away from Germany and a similar one from Japan, would be enough revenue to double and triple our health transfers, something she believes is on all of Canadians' minds right now.
Gladu said we need certainty in order to attract investment.
"And this is another example where we haven't see the bill, we don't know what's in it, we don't know what the plan is, and it causes uncertainty that causes investors to look elsewhere."
Gladu said Canada also needs to stay competitive with United State's inflation act, another concern raised during the minister's visit.
"We still will need oil and gas for some time, so to keep the plants here competitive and recognize the huge impact whatever Jonathan Wilkinson comes out with will be on Sarnia-Lambton."
Gladu spoke with Wilkinson afterwards and said enough interest was sparked for him to want a return visit to talk about the hydrogen hub in more detail, and to discuss the vast infrastructure and advantages in Sarnia-Lambton.