Read Stephen Harper’s full speech on the need for Canada to defend its sovereignty against the U.S.

Article content

And by the way, we are not just a uranium miner; we are a builder and refurbisher of nuclear reactors with a world-leading regulatory review agency for the development of SMRs (small modular reactors).

Article content

And of course, as a country, we have plenty of investments in biofuels and renewables, and we possess the raw materials necessary for further development of those sectors.

Article content

Article content

In 2015, Canada was poised to become that energy superpower. Today, we are not. Why? Because of deliberate policy choices that followed over the next decade.

Article content

But there is no point bemoaning what is past, especially because the opportunity of becoming that global energy superpower is fortuitously offering itself to us once again.

Article content

I do congratulate our current federal government on the measures it has taken to fast-track major project approvals, especially for projects in the oil sands. These changes are welcome and they are very important.

Article content

However, more does need to be done. The burdens and restrictions that do not exist elsewhere simply must be removed in Canada. And we need to provide comprehensive reform, regulatory reviews, and permitting processes, so that Canada can provide investors with the certainty of a science-based decision on both resource and related infrastructure projects within a fixed and reasonable time frame, as we had set up a decade ago.

Article content

Article content

Ironically, if we do not do these things as a country, the Americans will continue to be our sole customers, and they will not lack the urgency that we have lacked here in Canada. Nor will many others in the world.

Article content

That is why I have to say that I am very encouraged by the detailed comments the prime minister made today on doing just some of these things, and I welcome them.

Article content

I believe that Canada’s new government is committed to further reforms in these areas, and committed to their urgency. And I know that our premier, Premier (Danielle) Smith, will continue using that what we call “Alberta diplomacy” to remind our federal government of that.

Article content

Because becoming that energy superpower is no longer just good business. Not only, my view, good politics. It is critical to our prosperity and indeed to our survival as a country. Critical to raising our horizons beyond narrow domestic considerations to address global opportunities and imperatives.

Article content

And to be blunt, we need not worry about demand from either customers or investors, as I have been reminded by many of you in this room and others around the world for a decade. The world is developing an unprecedented demand for energy in all its forms, and they want it from Canada, provided we want to get it out of the ground and sell it.

Article content

Article content

But this is not just about other markets. We need this energy not only for its export potential. We also need it right here in Canada for our own reindustrialization and technological innovation, as well as, of course, as a critical signal that Canada is indeed once again a serious investment destination.

Article content

And that brings me back to the purpose of this conference.

Article content

As I’ve said, we are honoured that you have joined us. I congratulate the federal government for holding this conference — I believe the first of its kind in Canada.

Article content

It is such a great innovation that I wish I had thought of it. But we all know that it is only a start, and to realize its potential, we need ongoing determination and urgency here in Canada.

Article content

I do hope that this conference, I do hope that this conference is not a one-off. I think this conference needs to become regular, and we need your input, delegates from everywhere. We need your input to make it bigger and better going forward.

Article content

Now, just in conclusion, I know that you all have come here to discuss commercial opportunities, but it is my hope that in these conversations, you have deepened the trust and affirmed the values upon which commercial partnerships are built.