Natural Resources committee  I think the honourable member is referring to Mr. Evans's comments. Mr. Evans runs the Pathways Alliance, an alliance of oil sands companies. He's not involved with the natural gas industry. That's the first point. The second point—

Natural Resources committee  We do not take a position on the carbon tax as the Canadian Gas Association.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, Chair. A previous minister of natural resources speaking to my board of directors a few years ago said, “Wouldn't it be great if we had a national electricity link coast to coast?” I said to him, “Minister, we have one in the TransCanada mainline.” The mainline, of course, is one of several extraordinary pipeline networks across the continent.

Foreign Affairs committee  First of all, most renewables cannot be implemented without access to natural gas. It's a core partner for the development of virtually any renewable. Secondly, as much as there have been significant renewables investments, they're extremely costly. The development of natural gas assets is significantly less costly in virtually every application.

Foreign Affairs committee  I do, and I think that Canada faces a serious challenge. We've set very aggressive targets, which, as you've noted, are unlikely to be met, but we have at our disposal extraordinary resources that could be used to help meet, I would say, broader emission reduction targets at a global level.

Foreign Affairs committee  It's one of the variety of international sources that we look at, yes.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'd say it's not just for the last decade. I'd say since we've been using oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels, we have consistently underestimated the availability of those fuels. In large part, it's because it depends on the price of the fuel and the state of the technology at any one time.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'd say broadly that there are elements of the OECD recommendations that are aligned with actions by our industry in Canada. We are strongly supportive of energy efficiency. We're strongly supportive of alternative gaseous fuels. As I noted in my remarks, we are big supporters of renewable natural gas and development of hydrogen.

Foreign Affairs committee  No, sir.

Foreign Affairs committee  The Canadian Gas Association has had no direct engagement with the Government of Canada on that. I can't speak for any specific engagement that may have occurred with individual companies.

Foreign Affairs committee  No, I don't. In fact, Canada is a significant supplier of natural gas to the United States in quantities that are roughly comparable to the amount of gas the United States is currently exporting to global markets, much of which is going to Europe. Canadian gas is playing in global markets, and could be playing much more in global markets.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It has been over 18 months since Russia's illegal and vicious attack on Ukraine. It has been over one month since Hamas's monstrous terrorist assault on Israel. Asia is on high alert, as Communist Chinese rhetoric and actions suggest the integrity of Taiwan is at risk.

Foreign Affairs committee  We don't forecast gas prices. It's a quick pathway to abject failure to try to forecast energy prices. What I will say is that the supply picture is an extraordinary one in Canada and in North America. We often talk about Canada and the United States. We should also note that Mexico sits on enormous gas resources, and as Mexico begins to look at the development of its resources in a more robust way, that also offers enormous environmental and social benefits.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'm happy to talk to any of the members afterwards and take questions privately, should that be a request. Thank you for the opportunity to appear today.

Foreign Affairs committee  I didn't dismiss them. In fact, my industry is advocating them and is doing a lot of work on all of them. I would point out that the development of rare earth minerals is a very costly experience and requires a great deal of energy input. If the energy input is too expensive, you won't develop those rare earth minerals, and that means you won't ever develop the kinds of electric technologies and other technologies that the member's referring to.