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Q: So you are looking at Canada as part of the global whole, rather than considering its emissions in relative isolation?

A: I think it’s a blend. But we could artificially lower emissions here and punish sectors of economies, lead to job losses and higher costs for consumers, just to see that production move to other countries where emissions would actually be higher. Global emissions could actually go up if we did that. Our full environmental plan will be released with plenty of time for Canadians to make their own evaluations before the election.

Q: You’re going to Moosomin tomorrow for a pro-energy rally. If you form government later this year, what would you do to streamline the pipeline approval and construction process?

A: Things like scrapping the carbon tax would make projects in Canada more competitive; getting rid of, repealing, Bill C-69 — which is being called the anti-pipeline bill; streamlining the approvals process so that the goalposts don’t keep changing; a more dynamic role for the federal government in Indigenous consultations; getting rid of foreign funding in the approval process. I believe those conversations, those decisions, should be made by Canadians.

Q: How do you accomplish that while at the same time being aware of and respecting the views of Indigenous groups across the country, many of which are against new pipelines?

A: The balance is struck in a robust and transparent approvals process, where concerns can be addressed. And where concerns are found to be legitimate … that obligation is put on the proponent. We don’t live in a country where different people, different groups, different provincial governments get vetoes. People can have their say, people can have their input, but a robust, transparent, rigorous approvals process that people can have confidence in on the front end has to be able to deliver the project on the other end.