Science and Research Committee on Feb. 5th, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Please give a quick, 10-second answer.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

We want to be able to foster a new trade relationship but also a new science relationship. That's definitely the case for Horizon Europe, which is a key research collaboration between Canada and all European countries—basically the EU. We're also doing that with the ESA, the European Space Agency. Of course, we're doing that through defence procurement as well.

I really think that our science and research ecosystem must be connected to the one in Europe. At the same time, we're creating commercialization opportunities for businesses through their market as well.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Minister.

We will now proceed to MP Mahal for three minutes.

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

It's my pleasure.

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

In my question for you, Minister, I'm going to quote your own words. You have said in the past, “China is an increasingly disruptive global power” that “seeks to shape the global environment into one that is more permissive for interests and values that increasingly depart from ours.”

Minister, how do you reconcile that warning with the Prime Minister's announcement of a new strategic partnership with China?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I think we did that with our eyes wide open, but we also cannot be a hostage to our geography.

In that sense, we need—

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

These are two contradictory statements, Minister.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

—to be able to go to countries that we can have predictable and stable trade relations with. That is why we did this partnership with China, which was important at a time when we're the victim of a trade war by the Americans.

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

Minister, what has really changed? These are two contradictory statements. Your government is essentially making a U-turn. What has changed exactly, China or the Liberal government's standards?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

There's a trade war with the Americans. I don't know why you're not referring to it. This is the number one priority of Canadians across the country.

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

Trade wars were still there when the election happened. Why is it so important that all of a sudden, after the election, you're more focused on the trade war? It was there.

My next question is this: Chinese EV manufacturers—

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I'm sorry. I don't understand your statement. Can you clarify?

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

I'm moving on to my next question.

Chinese EV manufacturers benefit from heavy state subsidies, forced technology transfer and unfair trade practices, yet your and Carney's strategic partnership with China will allow 49,000 EVs into Canada. What steps is your government taking to prevent Chinese EVs from undercutting Canadian automakers and threatening thousands of Canadian workers?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

First and foremost, we will be there for workers. We've been supporting and subsidizing a lot of the D3 companies, although some of them have decided to leave, including Stellantis in Brampton and GM in Ingersoll. GM is also cutting a third shift in Oshawa. This is completely unacceptable. We'll get our money back. I've been clear on that.

Meanwhile, let's be frank. The American automakers are producing in China, so they've been—

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

Can you give me some examples of the steps your government is taking to make sure that we are not undercutting Canadian jobs and Canadian automakers?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

We're not.

We have just announced a strategic response fund of $3 billion. We've been supporting Toyota and Honda. They make up 77% of our auto production, and there has not been one major layoff from Honda or Toyota in 40 years. We'll continue to invest in them because they invest in us. We will also make sure that we protect Canadian jobs—

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

You're not answering the question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting.

MP Mahal, your time is up.

Now we'll proceed to MP Al Soud for three minutes.

Please go ahead.

[Fares Al Soud, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair. It's great to see you, as always, and it's great to be with the committee and the millions watching us on CPAC right now.

Thank you, Minister.

The last time we met, I had the opportunity to ask you about our talent attraction strategy. We've also discussed it since.

As you well know, Canada's bilingualism is an asset not just domestically, but also internationally. We are major players when it comes to research and the two dominant languages, English and French. I am proud to sit on the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage because the francophone community is a personal and professional priority of mine.

Are you committed to ensuring that anglophone and francophone researchers receive equal consideration under the talent attraction strategy?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Absolutely. In fact, I've had conversations with Daniel Jutras, rector of Université de Montréal; Sophie D'Amours, rector of Université Laval; and Marie‑Eve Sylvestre, president of the University of Ottawa. They are all very involved and enthusiastic. Mr. Jutras was actually named chair of U15 Canada this year. I also work a lot with Robert Asselin, the association's chief executive officer. Consequently, I believe it will be possible to achieve the goal of strengthening the francophone community and attracting the best and brightest.

I should also say that I've had conversations with Martine Biron, my Quebec counterpart. The Quebec government has also invested in attracting more talent, and we hope that more francophone Quebeckers and Canadians abroad will return home thanks to this initiative. Certainly, that is our goal.

[Fares Al Soud, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Earlier, Mr. Blanchette‑Joncas talked about a funding gap between the leading universities, which are mainly anglophone, and francophone institutions. Certainly, there are opportunities for co-operation with the provinces. We agree on that, and we are committed to it.

Can you talk a bit more about that?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I did some research on the grant success rates per eligible application by language, English and French. Between 2020 and 2024, the share of successful French-language applications was 25.8%, while the share of successful English-language applications was 25.3%. It's almost equal, really. In Quebec, 26.3% of applications were successful, and outside Quebec, the figure was 21.5%. Basically, that shows that research in Canada is not politicized. The government doesn't approve or deny the applications; it's really the research councils, which use peer review. Peer experts are the ones who approve or deny the applications.

There is sensitivity to the importance of French, then, but I think putting French at the heart of everything we do—whether it relates to science, geopolitics or government services—must be a priority.

[The Chair, Liberal, Salma Zahid]

I'm sorry for interrupting, Minister.

The time is up for MP Al Soud.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

It will certainly be my priority.