Committee Profile - Briefing Binder for CER Appearance at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources

House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources

44^th Parliament – 1^st Session

Chair - George Chahal (Lib)
Vice-Chairs - Shannon Stubbs (CPC), Mario Simard (BQ)

Shannon Stubbs

Riding: Lakeland, AB Political
Party: Conservative
Profession: Public Servant, MLA
Elected to Parliament: October 2015
Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Critic)

General Information:

Ms. Stubbs graduated with Honours/B.A. in Political Science and English from the University of Alberta. She interned in Ottawa for the Leader of the Official Opposition, Preston Manning, and worked in the constituency office of MP Deborah Grey. Ms. Stubbs worked in the field of public relations, where she advocated on behalf of not-for-profit organizations, charities, educational institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and the oil and gas sector. She worked in the Oil Sands Business Unit of the Alberta Ministry of Energy, and she eventually moved on to the International Offices and Trade Division of the Ministry of Economic Development. She provided policy development, research and communications support, led the organization of a series of public-private workshops on transportation infrastructure, labour needs, royalties and taxation, First Nations relations, and environmental stewardship in Alberta’s oil sands regions, and hydrocarbon upgrading development. Additionally, she co-led an international marketing and advocacy project for the oil sands and heavy oil technology, supply and services businesses.

Ms. Stubbs ran unsuccessfully as a Wildrose candidate in the 2004 and 2011 Alberta elections. She served as Danielle Smith's Chief of Staff from 2010–12 and the party's Director of Legislative Affairs from 2012–14. Ms. Stubbs has served as the federal MP for Lakehead since October 2015. She served as both the Shadow Minister and Deputy Critic for Natural Resources from 2015-19. Prior to her re-appointment to the Natural Resources critic role, she held the CPC critic roles for Rural Economic Development and Rural Broadband, and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Ms. Stubbs has sat on numerous parliamentary committees and was the Vice Chair of the Standing Committees on Natural Resources, Public Safety and National Security, and the Special Select Standing Committee for Pay Equity.

Relevant Public Statements on TMEP:

Ms. Stubbs has focused many of her questions during Question Period on jobs in the energy sector. At RNNR, she has focused heavily on Canada’s regulatory system, and perceived delays in getting energy projects built She is a vocal advocate for building more pipelines and supporting the oil and gas industry in Canada, and has argued that the oil and gas sector is a pivotal player in developing alternative and renewable energy technologies and the fuels of the future.

Ms. Stubbs strongly opposed Bill C-69 when it was before Parliament. She has called on the government to drop the bill, and use its power to get pipelines built – including TMX. She continues to criticize the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, which came in to effect following the C-69’s Royal Assent, for the same reasons.

Top Issues: regulatory efficiency, energy project approval, support for the oil and gas sector, support for Canadian LNG, energy sector jobs, energy affordability, energy security.

Ted Falk

Riding: Provencher
Party: Conservative
Profession: Businessman
Elected to Parliament: November 2013

General Information:

Prior to politics, Ted Falk was the owner of a heavy construction company that employs more than 75 people. He also served as President and Board Chair of the Steinbach Credit Union, the largest credit union in Manitoba with more than $4 billion in assets.

Mr. Falk was first elected in 2013 and has served on several parliamentary committees including Natural Resources, Public Safety and National Security, Justice and Human Rights, and Finance. He has also served as the Conservative Party’s Deputy Shadow Minister for Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and as a member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. Currently, Ted sits on the Shadow committee for Agriculture.

Relevant Public Statements on TMEP:

In committee, Mr. Falk has previously focused on the export of products (forest products, electricity, etc), valueadded processing in Canada and the negative impacts of regulations and building codes. Mr. Falk has raised concern over the impact new regulations and policies such as the carbon tax will have on oil and gas producers and argued that they have resulted in investors and companies leaving Canada for US markets.

Mr. Falk is supportive of pipeline infrastructure and strongly opposed Bill C-69 prior to it receiving Royal Assent. He argued that the Bill lacks clarity, predictability, and transparency and will impact Canada’s global competitiveness. Additionally, he argued that it would allow for political interference in the consultation process when approving new projects and would allow foreign entities to participate in public hearings. More recently, he has questioned the impact bill C-69 has on developing the infrastructure and energy required to meet the government’s net-zero objectives.

Top Issues: regulatory efficiency, project approvals, energy infrastructure, Canadian competitiveness

Earl Dreeshen

Riding: Red Deer—Mountain View
Party: Conservative
Profession: Farmer, Teacher
Elected to Parliament: 2008

General Information:

Prior to politics, Mr. Dreeshen was fourth-generation farmer and a retired high school math teacher. He and his wife still manage their family farm. He was elected to the Elnora Hospital Board, serving for many years as chair. He also served as chair of the Eltrohills Health Advisory Committee, working toward improved health care standards in the Three Hills, Trochu, and Elnora communities.

Mr. Dreeshen was first elected in 2008 and has been a member of several committees including Health, Public Accounts, Ethics, Aboriginal Affairs, International Trade, and Agriculture. He has also served as a Canadian delegate for the ParlAmericas and as the Deputy Shadow Critic for Industry and Economic Development. He has held the vicechairmanship of the Industry, Science and Technology Committee, and the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee.

Relevant Public Statements on TMEP:

In committee, Mr. Dreeshen often asks about the “life cycle” impacts/emissions of various energy resources, especially for wind and solar energy, and argues we need to measure the impact “from the first shovel” as compared to the energy sources we currently use. He has compared the environmental impact of producing batteries to that of extracting oil and gas and questioned if Canada, and Canadian companies have plans for decommissioning and reclamation to deal with material at its end of life. Mr. Dreeshen has called on responsible departments to conduct a full life cycle analysis of all types of energy technology.

We need to talk about electrical power transmission lines and hydrocarbon pipelines, and from flooded valleys for hydro dams to abandoned oil wells and to procurement, through to mineral exploration in our own backyard and the importation of products from countries with little regard for the environment or human rights.

During ENVI’s study on Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Mr. Dreeshen brought up the issue of provincial jurisdiction for natural resources and questioned whether the federal government is properly engaging them. He has called the government’s commitment to ending fossil fuel subsidies “aggressive” in comparison to other G20 countries, and questioned the definition of a subsidy.

Top issues: agriculture sector, carbon tax, global energy security, lifecycle impacts of energy projects

Jeremy Patzer

Riding: Cypress Hills—Grasslands
Party: Conservative
Profession: Telecommunications
Elected to Parliament: October 2019

General Information:

Jeremy Patzer was born and raised on a grain farm in Frontier, Saskatchewan. He worked in the telecommunications industry for 10 years, in business and residential settings for both rural and urban areas. During this time, he remained active in politics, serving on the Board of Directors for the Conservative Party Constituency Association since 2015.

Mr. Patzer was first elected in 2019 and has served as a member of several committees including Natural Resources, Industry, Science and Technology, International Trade, and Public Accounts

Relevant Public Statements on TMEP:

During his time on RNNR, Mr. Patzer has focused many of his questions on the impact of environmental policies on rural communities and argued that policies such as the carbon tax or Clean Fuel Standard have a disproportionate impact on rural Canadians and the elderly. He regularly discusses the issue of grid capacity and Canada’s ability to “double capacity” to meet the increased electricity demand as the country moves to net-zero by 2030.

Top Issues: just transition, rural communities, grid capacity, carbon tax, streamlining regulations, energy affordability

Mario Simard

Riding: Jonquière, QC
Party: Bloc Québécois
Profession: University Lecturer
Elected to Parliament: October 2019
Natural Resources Critic

General Information:

Mario Simard has been a lecturer in political science and social work at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi since 2005. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in political science. Mr. Simard was a political attaché from 2011 to 2015 for the former member for Jonquière – Alma, Claude Patry, who was elected as NDP before transferring to the Bloc Québécois during his mandate. Mr. Simard was elected to the House of Commons in 2019.

Mr. Simard has been the Bloc’s critic of natural resources and a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources since the start of the 43rd Parliament. He has served as the vice-chair of RNNR since 2020.

Relevant Public Statements on TMEP:

Mr. Simard has been vocal in urging the government to divest itself from fossil fuels and support green energy and the ecological transition through green finance.One of his most discussed issues in both the House and at committee is the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, and phasing out the oil and gas sector. He has frequently questioned the government’s progress on its commitment to eliminating fossil fuel subsidies by 2023 and has pressed the government to formally define “subsidy.” He believes that continued federal funding and subsidization of the fossil fuel industry represents overt alignment with Western Canadian interests and results in “greenwashing” of federal climate commitments.

Recent interventions by Mr. Simard in the House include criticisms of federal investments in the oil and gas sector – especially the TMX pipeline and investments in CCUS, with stronger calls for the government to cease all fossil fuel subsidies and instead “fund the victims of fuel prices and the energy transition”.

Top Issues: fossil fuel subsidies, forest sector support, phasing out oil and gas, supportive of carbon pricing, support for aluminum industry, Western interests, green hydrogen, Quebec’s clean energy, SWL

Charlie Angus

Riding: Timmins—James Bay, Ontario
Party: New Democratic Party
Profession: Writer, Activist, Musician
Elected to Parliament: June 2004
Natural Resources, Jobs and Just Transition, Critic

General Information:

Born in Timmins Ontario, Mr. Angus began political activism through music in the punk rock band L’Étranger. Mr. Angus was a community activist in Toronto with various Catholic organizations working on poverty issues during the 1980s and later returned to Northern Ontario in the 1990s. He has authored several books and served as a trustee on the Northeastern Catholic District School Board starting in 2000 before being elected to the House in 2004. In 2017, Mr. Angus ran for leadership of the federal NDP and placed second.

Mr. Angus has held many critic roles during his extensive career in federal politics with portfolios in agriculture, heritage, Indigenous and northern affairs, and ethics. He has extensive committee experience, having held membership in several committees throughout his career. In the previous Parliament, he was a member of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) and the Standing Committee on Official Languages. Mr. Angus has also held the Vice-Chairmanship of several committees.

Mr. Angus is currently the NDP’s Critic on Natural Resources Jobs and Just Transition. This is a new portfolio created by the NDP, and functions alongside the Deputy Critic of Natural Resources that continues to be held by NDP MP Richard Cannings. This new role will focus on issues related to jobs and skills transition from oil and gas to other economic sectors, emphasizing that any closures in the traditional energy industry must cushion or improve prospects for affected workers.

Relevant Public Statements on TMEP:

Mr. Angus has focused on Indigenous issues throughout his career, and in particular Indigenous issues related to natural resources development. His statements in Parliament include criticisms of economic supports for the oil and gas sector, as well as the government’s approach to jobs regarding Keystone XL, the opposition to the Coastal GasLink project, and subsequent rail blockades in February 2020. His interventions have also included support for Indigenous Treaty recognition for natural resource projects.

Mr. Angus has frequently intervened in Committee and in the House on the issue of oil and gas lobbying. He has been openly critical of the number of meetings that oil and gas companies have had with both the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of the Environment. Mr. Angus has also been critical of the plan to increase Canada’s oil and gas production, especially the approval of the Bay du Nord project and further investments in the TMX pipeline. He has cited the Canada Energy Regulator’s Energy Future reports and questioned how increasing production would impact Canada’s ability to meet its climate objectives and reduce emissions.

Top Issues: just transition, support for workers, energy transition, U.S. IRA, Indigenous participation in natural resources, oil and gas lobbying, clean energy investments, oil and gas production, critical minerals

George Chahal

Riding: Calgary Skyview, AB
Party: Liberal
Profession: Real estate developer
Elected to Parliament: September 2021
RNNR Chair

Biography:

Harnirjodh "George" Chahal was born and raised in Calgary. Before entering politics, he worked in construction and development and earned a BA in Economics and Masters in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary. Mr. Chahal is active among Calgary’s Sikh political community, with his father previously serving as president of the Canadian branch of the World Sikh Organization and secretary of the Alberta Liberal Party. Mr. Chahal was elected to Calgary City Council representing Ward 5 in October 2017, and has been outspoken against racism, chaired Calgary’s Community Based Public Safety task Force, and was appointed to Calgary’s Police Commission. Mr. Chahal was elected to the House of Commons during the 2021 federal election as one of two Alberta Liberal MPs and the lone Liberal MP among Calgary ridings.

Mr. Chahal sat as a member of RNNR and the Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) committee since December 2021. In October 2023, Mr. Chahal was voted in as Chair of RNNR.

Majid Jowhari

Riding: Richmond Hill, BC
Party: Liberal
Profession: Large Business Transition and Transformation Specialist
Elected to Parliament: October 2015, September 2021

General Information:

Majid Jowhari was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019. As a proud resident of Richmond Hill for over 20 years, Majid has been a passionate advocate for its residents and bringing years of expertise to cultivate a strong and vibrant community in Richmond Hill. Majid takes exceptional pride in being the voice in Ottawa representing Richmond Hill and Markham by promoting fiscal responsibility, accountability, and social progressiveness.

Currently, he also holds roles in Industry, Science and Technology, and Government Operations and Estimates Committee. He is also the Vice-Chair of the Canada-China Legislative Association and holds membership in the Canada NATO Parliamentary Association. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was also a member of the special COVID-19 committee.

During the 43rd Parliament, he tabled the Private Member’s Motion, Motion-36, which calls to designate August 1st as Emancipation Day in Canada to honor the important contributions of the Canadians of African and Caribbean descent. This recognizes the abolition of slavery that occurred within the British empire on August 1st, 1834, acknowledging the history of slavery in Canada and other commonwealth countries. It further recognizes the significance this date holds as a historic celebration of freedom among abolitionists and emancipated settlers in Canada.

Majid notably founded the all-party Mental Health Caucus in 2017, advocating for mental health initiatives on Parliament Hill. As the chair of the caucus, he works with Parliamentarians from all parties to bring mental health to the forefront of the discussion. This all-party caucus continues to drive its priorities in the current parliamentary mandate.

The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) named Majid Jowhari as a Parliamentary Mental Health Champion of 2018. He was given this award for his first Private Member’s Bill C-375: An Act to Amend the Criminal Code, on October 19th, 2017. This Bill introduced legislation to amend the Criminal Code to mandate that pre-sentence reports include relevant information relating to the offender’s mental health, which currently includes information such as character, attitude, behavior, and willingness to change, also include relevant information relating to the offender’s mental health. Majid continues to work with the CAMIMH to advocate for mental health initiatives and practices on the Hill and his constituents.

Prior to entering politics, Majid specialized in large business transition and transformation enabled by technology. He advised fortune 500 companies on strategy and extending value chain business process re-engineering supply chain optimization. This experience has helped bridge to his role as the federal representative, where he helps businesses and organizations in the community flourish and further facilitating community and business forums.

Majid came to Canada in 1979 as an international student from Iran. He has made Canada his home over the past 41 years by establishing roots with his wife Homeira and his two children, Nickta and Meilaud. He is passionate about his family and cares about the environment he will leave behind.

Julie Dabrusin

Riding: Toronto—Danforth, ON
Party: Liberal
Profession: Attorney
Elected to Parliament: October 2015

Biography:

Julie Dabrusin was born in Montreal and has lived in the Danforth neighbourhood of Toronto since 1998. Dabrusin earned university degrees in law and Middle Eastern studies. She then spent 13 years as an attorney with Rogers Partners LLP, as well as a year as commission counsel to an inquiry into government procurement. In 2011, she left her legal career to focus on raising her two daughters and participating in various community organizing and charitable activities aimed at promoting and preserving Toronto's public parks. In 2013, she was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Ms. Dabrusin was nominated as the Liberal Party candidate in Toronto—Danforth for the 2015 federal election. Dabrusin won the election, unseating NDP incumbent Craig Scott. Toronto—Danforth was previously held by NDP leader Jack Layton.

Ms. Dabrusin has held a number of roles since first being elected to the 42nd Parliament. She has previously chaired the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC) as well as its subcommittee on agenda and procedure. She has also previously been a member on committees for Physician-Assisted Dying, Public Safety and National Security, as well as Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Yvonne Jones

Riding: Labrador, NL
Party: Liberal
Profession: Journalist and Entrepreneur
Elected to Parliament: 2013

General Information:

Ms. Jones is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs. She has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of CrownIndigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. While serving in opposition, Yvonne was the Liberal Critic responsible for Northern Development and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, ACOA, as well as Search and Rescue. Prior to her election to the House of Commons in May 2013, Yvonne was the Liberal MHA for CartwrightL’anse au Clair since 1996. During her time has an MHA she served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Works, Services and Transportation and to the Department of Health. In 2003, Yvonne Jones was the first female in the province to be appointed Minister of Fisheries & Aquaculture. She was also the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. Yvonne Jones was appointed Interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador and Leader of the Official Opposition on November 15th, 2007. On July 30, 2010, Yvonne became the official Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.

A graduate of West Viking College, Yvonne began her career as a journalist and has worked throughout the province as a news reporter. She also carried out contract work as a researcher with Memorial University and as a Resource Employment Counselor with Human Resources Development Canada. Yvonne is also an entrepreneur and has owned and operated small businesses in Labrador in both the transportation and tourism sectors. Her first foray into politics was as Mayor of her hometown, Mary’s Harbour, Labrador, in 1991. Through her volunteer work with the Battle Harbour Development Corporation, the Combined Councils of Labrador, the NunatuKavut and various literacy groups and councils, Yvonne played a significant role in improving the quality of life not only for the people of her district, but for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Viviane Lapointe

Riding: Sudbury, ON
Party: Liberal
Profession: Provincial government, Executive Director
Elected to Parliament: September 2021

Biography:

Viviane Lapointe was born and raised in Sudbury. Prior to entering politics, Mrs. Lapointe worked for the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines before later becoming executive director of Community Living Greater Sudbury, a group centre for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Ms. Lapointe ran in the 2021 federal election in the riding of Sudbury. After successfully winning the nomination, she went on to win her riding in the 2021 election with 34% of the vote.

In addition to sitting as a member of RNNR, Ms. Lapointe is also a member of the committee on Industry and Technology (INDU).

Peter Scheifke

Riding: Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Party: Liberal
Profession: Sustainable Development Executive
Elected to Parliament: October 2015

Biography:

Peter was first elected as a Member of Parliament by the citizens of Vaudreuil-Soulanges in October 2015. Shortly thereafter he was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth by Prime Minister Trudeau and in 2018 was given the additional responsibilities of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction. In 2019 Peter was re-elected and was shortly thereafter appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. In March 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked him to take on the role of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Prior to entering into politics Peter worked in numerous capacities lending his expertise in sustainable development to both domestic and international causes. His passion for positive social change inspired his work as the Director and Co-Founder of Youth Action Canada, the CEED Program based in Uganda, East Africa and his work as the National Director of Climate Reality Canada, an organization founded by former US Vice-President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore. For his work he has been awarded a Federal Minister’s Commendation, the YMCA Peace Prize and the Forces Avenir Award for Peace Justice and Humanitarian Aid.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Concordia University as well as a Master of Science in Renewable Resources from McGill University and currently lives with his wife and two children in his riding of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Quebec.

In addition to sitting on RNNR, Mr. Scheifke is also Chair of the House Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN).

Date modified:

2025-01-08