I would like to follow up on an issue that I raised with the minister about the use of Canadian steel in federal infrastructure projects. In its written response to my previous inquiry, the department said that the new Champlain Bridge corridor contract was awarded to the lowest compliant proposal based in part on a fixed price for the design and construction work. It also said that the contract contained specific requirements related to the performance of material, but did not contain requirements related to their origin.
It sounded as though the minister suggested that it would be possible to look at the amount of Canadian steel that was being used. I'm just wondering how that fits with a procurement requirement that doesn't seem to take into account the origin of the steel.