Senator Mockler: We’re told the loop could go through northwestern New Brunswick. As a resident and senator from New Brunswick, I’m committed to working with all the stakeholders in the region, as well as with the Government of Quebec, on seeing this project through so that the northwest is given serious consideration as a main route. Indeed, this project worth several billion dollars will create good jobs in the region.

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To the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the federal government seems to have finally discovered that the Atlantic Loop is a step in the right direction when it comes to addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada and North America. The Atlantic Loop will, without a doubt, phase out coal-fired generating plants in Atlantic Canada.

Leader, when will the federal government officially announce the Atlantic Loop project? Actions speak louder than words.

Hon. Percy Mockler: Leader of the Government in the Senate, the federal government has been talking about the Atlantic Loop for many years now. This morning, one of the great Canadian journalists, Adam Youris, reported that Prime Minister Trudeau was in Nova Scotia on the weekend to participate in the Atlantic Economic Forum. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to talk about the Atlantic Loop project, which will have a significant impact, especially on the Atlantic provinces. We’re talking about a multi-billion-dollar project that would make Atlantic Canada a clean energy powerhouse.

Could the government leader give us an update on the proposed project? What options have been put on the table in order to carry out this project that is vital to all of the Atlantic provinces?