Finance Committee on May 26th, 2026

Evidence of meeting #40 for Finance in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was electricity.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2026 Budget

Members speaking

Before the committee

Mueller President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada

Tranberg President and Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association

Vander Heyden Chair, Board of Directors, Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association

Loomis President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Institute of Steel Construction

Dunn Executive Director, Helium Developers Association of Canada

Dubey Chief Executive Officer, CVW Sustainable Royalties Inc

Clark Vice-President, New Economy Canada

Moffatt Chief Development Officer, StormFisher Hydrogen

Kabbara Chief Executive Officer, The Transition Accelerator

Goddard Chair, Policy Committee, Canadian Craft Brewers Association

Silès Chief Executive Officer, Conseil québécois du commerce de détail

Tierney First Vice-President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Ross General Manager, Union des producteurs agricoles

6:55 p.m.

General Manager, Union des producteurs agricoles

Charles-Félix Ross

In fact, this concerns the people of Mirabel, but also of Lanaudière, Portneuf, Mauricie and certain rural areas of Ontario. This project will split 2,000 properties in two. That's huge.

We disagree with the provisions in Bill C‑15 aimed at expropriating producers quickly. We believe that the Alto project is a bad project. We're calling on the federal government of Mr. Carney to reconsider it. We're not opposed to trains or economic development, but we think there are better solutions. Existing CN rights-of-way could be used, and a high-frequency train could be implemented at five times lower cost.

6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC

I have 20 seconds left.

Do the agricultural producers along the route currently feel respected by the government?

6:55 p.m.

General Manager, Union des producteurs agricoles

Charles-Félix Ross

We don't want to get into the issue of respect or lack thereof. What we're asking the government is really to reconsider this project, which is economically unsound. It's going to cost the Canadian government over $200 billion. Instead, that money could be invested in agriculture and used to develop Canada's agricultural economy.

May 26th, 2026 / 6:55 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC

Thank you very much.

6:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Karina Gould

On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank all of the witnesses for appearing with us this evening.

With that, the committee is adjourned.