Neil Ellis, MP Bay of Quinte Riding
100 Station St, Belleville
Ontario, K8N 2S8
February 20, 2019
Dear Mr. Ellis,
The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, representing 435 local businesses in your jurisdiction, is writing to express our serious concern that Canada is at an economic and social tipping point because of our inability to get energy resource infrastructure built.
The very fabric of our country is being threatened by the devastating impact of low oil prices, our inability to get energy resources to global markets and the increasing tensions between regions that rely on our resources sector and other parts of Canada.
Our natural resources should be a source of pride for all Canadians. As producers of some of the cleanest, most ethically-produced energy products in the world, we should be doing all we can as a country to get them to global markets, where they can get a fair price, help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to our prosperity as a nation.
Not only is Canada’s economic well-being is at risk, but the growing tensions among Canadians threaten to tear our national fabric itself. We need to come together as one nation and this letter is intended to deliver a clear and unmistakable message to our elected representatives at all levels: the businesses in your jurisdictions want you act and act now.
We are asking you to support:
- Getting our energy resources to tidewater. A good start would be recognising that the Trans-Mountain Expansion urgently needs to be built in the national interest and by pressing for its immediate construction.
- Amending Bill C-69 to provide greater clarity, predictability and transparency and to prevent further loss of investment and jobs from Canada.
- Acting on the regulatory changes promised in the Fall Economic Update.
- Declare a broad mutual recognition of each province’s standards across all sectors and to do so within the short term.
Canadians in every part of Canada believe that we can and should bring Canadian resources responsibly to global markets, but we need a strong commitment from our political leaders to make that happen.
Our business community is prepared to do its part. We need you to do yours. Now.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Andrews, General Manager
Quinte West Chamber of Commerce
