Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I am listening to the obstructions by the member opposite and others, and the issue of the fairytale. This is a serious matter, and the amendment that I have put forward is a serious matter.
The member opposite is suggesting that this is a fairytale. These are real jobs, real investments, real money and real economic growth. We have now been able to achieve a tremendous number of investments and foreign direct investments that would not have happened if we were not there negotiating and supporting them.
The member opposite doesn't like to hear about the amendment that provides the ability to review the documents while still maintaining confidential information. Confidentiality, in the end, is at the heart of the issue. He wants to suggest otherwise.
I say, once again, that the partnership in this is not just the Government of Canada having a contract with foreign workers or foreign companies that are bringing in skill sets and building construction to the tune of $3 billion to $5 billion of their money first. It is more than that, and the agreements will specify some of that.
We're going to give the opportunity for that to be reviewed, but with sensitivity around those confidential matters. That is why I am reaffirming, in my discussions here, what LG Energy is saying, what Stellantis is saying, what the mayor of Windsor is saying, what the union leaders are saying, and what the Conservative Government of Ontario is saying.
The details are confidential, so that means that they need to do due diligence to have that completed before disclosures. Disclosures will occur. Plant constructions are scheduled to begin later this year, with production operations planned to launch some time in 2024 and the facility to be operational by 2025. We don't want to jeopardize that opportunity.
To say that somehow this is all a fairytale is at the crux of why the amendment has been put forward. It is about dealing with the facts. The fairytales and the fairy dust that is sprinkled around this deal are manufactured through innuendoes and misinformation. It is unfortunate that this is done in such a way to dismantle and jeopardize those very jobs that are coming to this country.
The member opposite has suggested that things are broken, that there's nefarious activity, and that somehow all of these negotiations were done on the back of an envelope. I have no idea where he's getting his information. We will provide that information. The amendment enables that to occur, and I would encourage us to be sensitive about the confidential matters as a result.
I have restated—and I don't want to repeat myself—for the benefit of the member. I don't want to reaffirm that, but let's bring it into another context, then, for the benefit of the discussion around this amendment.
If we look at all of our different ridings across this country, we will see that the supply chain that comes from this investment, an enablement of this investment in Windsor, in Hamilton and in northern Ontario, where we're doing some of the mining for this battery operation has a huge pickup for Canada.
There are ripple effects that are not even based in this contract, but we know the economic benefit will occur. I just implore us to be sensitive to that, too, and to think long term. Avoid election psychopolitics, please. Stop considering this as what you're going to do tomorrow for your YouTube hit, what you're going to do for your social media or what kind of partisan stuff we're going to do. Forget that for now.
Consider what it really means for your future, your children's future and your grandchildren's future and what it means for Canada to be at the forefront of a new economy and a green economy. Do not put that at risk. Allow this amendment to proceed in a way that protects those confidential matters.
You have a duty and a responsibility to do that. You are the member and representative, not just for the Conservative Party or the Liberal Party; you are a representative for Canada. You need to do what's right, and this enables us to do what's right for that reason.
Mr. Chair, I will take a break for now.