LEVIS, QUEBEC -- (Marketwire) -- 11/22/12 -- The Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today visited Ultramar's Jean-Gaulin refinery in Levis, Quebec, where he met with company officials and staff. The natural resource sectors in Quebec support up to 11 percent of the province's gross domestic product.

"The Harper Government is fully committed to supporting jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity in Quebec," said Minister Oliver. "Our plans support the 175,000 directly employed in Quebec's natural resource sectors and will result in opportunities for thousands more."

The Government's plans for Responsible Resource Development support jobs and critical social programs, including health and education. This plan also focuses on protecting the environment by increasing the number of annual inspections by the National Energy Board for oil and gas pipelines by 50 percent.

"This government is demonstrating leadership that is resulting in new economic opportunities for Quebecers and all Canadians," said Minister Oliver. "Our commitment to creating new markets and keeping taxes low is contributing to an estimated 600 projects over the next 10 years that will increase jobs and economic benefits in Quebec."

This approach to supporting jobs while protecting the environment includes support for independently reviewed proposals that would replace higher-priced foreign oil in refineries like Jean-Gaulin d'Ultramar from countries such as Algeria, Angola and the United Kingdom with lower-priced Canadian oil.

"We support proposals to replace higher-cost foreign crude that is currently being transported to consumers and refineries in Quebec and Atlantic Canada," said Minister Oliver. "These proposals are subject to independent, science-based review and would create new jobs and economic growth."

Independent regulators would conduct a comprehensive objective scientific evaluation to determine whether any specific project passes regulatory muster and is safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.

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