Evidence of meeting #20 for Finance in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was project.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC
You want me to look you in the eye, but you're interrupting me.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
You're not answering my question. That's why.
As you know, the right to be heard and the right to an impact assessment in relation to an expropriation notice exist because of what happened in Mirabel. Bill C-15 takes those rights away from the people in my riding. Those legal provisions exist because of what people in the area went through.
Liberal
Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC
Mr. Garon, I would suggest a different approach. Instead of spreading fear and instrumentalizing symbols of past mistakes—
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Minister, do you think we are spreading fear and terrorizing people?
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mayors are finding out what's going on via Facebook or email, and Alto is lying to reporters.
Liberal
Liberal
Peter Fragiskatos Liberal London Centre, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
There's a lot of interrupting going on, so I can't follow the discussion between the member and the Minister.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Karina Gould
Thank you, Mr. Fragiskatos.
I'm going to ask both of you not to talk over one another, so the interpreters can do their job.
Bloc
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Madam Chair, I'd like to comment on the point of order.
We are parliamentarians, and I can tell from the look on the minister's face that he doesn't like the questions I'm asking. That's fine; they aren't meant for him to like. Nevertheless, the people where I'm from have told me they're scared, and I am trying to deliver their message. I don't think the way to make progress on this issue is to engage in personal attacks, as the Minister is doing today. I urge the Minister to adjust his attitude and take a different tack.
I'm out of time. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Karina Gould
No, we don’t have time.
We will continue with Ms. Cobena for five minutes.
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for being here, Minister.
The budget implementation act includes provisions related to the Alto high-frequency rail project, a multi-billion dollar initiative that will involve significant procurement, financing structures and long-term public contracts. Given the serious and well-documented concerns about the potential conflicts of interest involving Brookfield, including its proximity to the Prime Minister and its extensive role in global infrastructure financing, can you answer clearly and unequivocally whether Brookfield will be barred from bidding on, participating in, advising on, financing or otherwise benefiting from any aspect of this high-frequency rail project?
Liberal
Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC
What I can tell you is that a private consortium, led by a Canadian pension fund, is the private sector partner. They have a number of other affiliated companies, many world-leading, and most of them are owned by Canadians, including Air Canada and many others. That is the private sector entity we have chosen to accompany the Crown corporation that's developing this project.
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
However, given the serious concerns about Brookfield specifically, can you please confirm clearly whether they will be involved or not?
Liberal
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
You're not preventing it from being involved, given the potential conflicts of interest here. They could technically—
Liberal
Conservative
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
No, it's actually quite simple. Will they be able to participate and benefit from this project or not—
Conservative