Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit a petition to the House on behalf of the people of Powell River, who wish to express their strong opposition to Brookfield Renewable Partners LP, a well-known and politically well-connected foreign-based corporation, from being granted a 30-year export permit to send electricity from the local hydroelectric dam out of the country to the United States, with almost no benefit to the people who actually live in Powell River or the people of British Columbia.
The petitioners maintain that the approval of this permit would prevent Canadians from making future use of this finite natural resource to meet domestic electricity demand or to support local industry, as the dam has supported the recently closed pulp mill and thousands of jobs for more than 100 years. That is why they are calling on Canada's energy regulator to reject this permit request. It is not in Canada's national interest. It is not supported by the local community, and it undermines the economic development of Powell River, the region, the province of British Columbia and our incredible country.
I support them 100%.