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The biggest challenge in Canada today is uncertainty. The resource sector has hugely capital-intensive projects with a long life. But these projects cannot go forward if they become captives of seemingly endless processes and reviews. Public policy has a critical role to play in reducing some of that uncertainty and promoting the Canadian resource sector in emerging markets. Your voices need to be heard in this debate.

We cannot allow our regulatory regime to be gamed by those who simply want to disrupt any form of development. There are clear lessons from history on this tendency.

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Trudeau has said he sees his role as a “responsible referee” on energy projects, rather than a “cheerleader.”

But Mulroney said the “vital initiative” must be led by the Prime Minister himself.

“In this area, there are no substitutes for him. He strikes me as having the style, the interest and the instinct necessary to bring the premiers and the aboriginal leaders and environmentalists together and emerge with a common position that speaks to Canada’s future with optimism and hope,” he said.

Mulroney also criticized the Trudeau government’s decision to extend the regulatory review process.

“The government is actually injecting more uncertainty into the process and undermining the credibility of the regulatory institutions charged with that responsibility. There is a growing risk that, due to protracted delays, mounting opposition, escalating costs and the lack of distinct political support, essential pipeline projects may die stillborn — just like the ill-fated Mackenzie pipeline — with severe damage to a vital sector of the economy that is already reeling from depressed prices.”