Transport Committee on April 15th, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Welcome to meeting 29 of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the committee is resuming its study on the loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to the Mersey River wind project.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the Standing Orders. I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of our witnesses and our members. First, please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking. For those on Zoom, at the bottom of your screen, you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation: floor audio, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.

I remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the raise hand function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.

Colleagues, I'd now like to welcome our witnesses for the first panel today. We have appearing before us the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.

Welcome to you, Minister.

From the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities we have Paul Halucha, deputy minister.

Welcome to you, sir.

We're going to jump right into it, Minister. I'm going to turn the floor over to you for your five-minute opening remarks.

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, committee members, for the invitation to appear today to discuss the Canada Infrastructure Bank loan for the Mersey River Wind Project.

I'm honoured to be here with Deputy Minister Paul Halucha.

Before I delve into this great project that will have such positive economic and social impacts for Nova Scotians, I want to make it clear that the Canada Infrastructure Bank is an independent Crown corporation that works at arm's length from government in its day-to-day operations and makes its own investment decisions. These decisions are guided by rigorous due diligence, sound commercial discipline and a focus on delivering real benefits for Canadians.

As you are aware, in February of this year the Canada Infrastructure Bank announced a $206.4-million investment to support the development of the Mersey River wind project in beautiful Milton, Nova Scotia. In addition to this loan, Natural Resources Canada's smart renewables and electrification pathways program is providing up to $25 million in funding, while the Province of Nova Scotia is contributing both financially and through in-kind support valued at nearly $700,000.

This project reflects close co-operation between all levels of government and federal and provincial partners, including the Progressive Conservative government of Nova Scotia, working together to advance clean energy development and create economic opportunities for local communities. The project will provide more options for Nova Scotians, as well as bringing competition to the province’s energy market.

This is one of the larger wind energy investments that's supported by the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and it is a story that Nova Scotians can be very proud of. It is a sustainable clean-power project that aims to provide affordable, reliable and grid-stabilizing energy to the province.

When we talk about building strong communities, this is what we're talking about. The Mersey River wind farm is expected to supply nearly 150 megawatts of zero-emissions electricity, capable of powering more than 50,000 homes while catalyzing over $500 million in private investment in the region. It represents the first renewable-to-retail licence in Nova Scotia. It will allow Nova Scotians to buy renewable electricity directly from the developer, giving them a choice.

The Mersey River wind farm is expected to avoid approximately 220,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. This is the equivalent of about 1.5% of Nova Scotia's total carbon output in 2022. The project will also help reduce the financial strain on ratepayers as the province transitions to clean electricity. As part of the broader focus on clean renewable energy across the country, and as we seek to mitigate the increasing impacts of climate change, the project is eligible for the clean technology investment tax credit for up to 30% of capital costs.

The Mersey River wind farm has reached financial close. Construction will take place in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed next year, in 2027. More than 200 workers are expected to be employed at the peak of construction activities, supporting local economic activity in the region. The Canada Infrastructure Bank's involvement is enabling a faster build-out of the project at a lower cost to ratepayers, consistent with Nova Scotia's commitment of achieving 80% of clean power generation via renewable energy by 2030. As minister, I will always be supportive of meaningful investments that create local jobs, build local infrastructure and promote energy independence, particularly in these challenging times.

I will take the last bit of time to walk through the structure of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, for the benefit of the committee. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is governed by an independent board of directors, which is responsible for overseeing the bank's strategic direction and improving these investments. This structure is designed to balance independence in investment decision-making with appropriate public oversight and transparency. The bank publishes information about its investments and performance on its website and through its annual reports.

Finally, I will reiterate that this is exactly the kind of project that Nova Scotians need and that Canadians need. It's one that delivers clean energy, creates good jobs and drives sustainable economic growth.

It's about building a stronger, more affordable and more resilient future for communities across the province.

Thank you. I look forward to answering the members' questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Minister. Thanks, once again, for being here.

We'll begin our line of questions today with Dr. Lewis. Dr. Lewis, the floor is yours. You have six minutes, please.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Thank you for coming, Minister.

Minister, under the act, you're responsible for the Canada Infrastructure Bank. In fact, you're responsible for ensuring that the taxpayer-backed financing through the Canada Infrastructure Bank is allocated fairly and transparently. As we know, there is ministerial involvement, because under section 4, you are the minister responsible for the bank, so it's unacceptable to hear from you today that the CIB is independent and that you do not approve individual deals. We know that you, ultimately, are in charge of approving the corporate plan that governs how the investments are made, including bonuses. Do you believe, Minister, that Canadians have a right to know the interest rate and repayment terms of a $206-million taxpayer-backed loan from the Infrastructure Bank?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

Through the chair, first and foremost, the purpose of the Canada Infrastructure Bank is to attract private investment, capital to be invested in Canadian infrastructure. The bank has been very successful at doing that. This is about the 108th deal that has been secured by the Canada Infrastructure Bank. We're talking now about tens of billions of dollars that are being invested in Canadian infrastructure by the private sector through transactions such as this. This is a loan to private sector proponents, and the terms of that are legally protected.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Thank you.

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

We here in this room, we who are elected.... Although I have that responsibility of oversight with the Canada Infrastructure Bank, I have nothing to do with the deals that it makes.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Minister—

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

Those are subject to legal requirements around confidentiality with the terms.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

With all due respect, Minister, under section 11 of the CIB Act, you're responsible for ensuring that the bank operates in the public interest.

Can you confirm whether the $206-million loan is below market rate? Yes or no.

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

Through the chair, I do not know the specific terms of this deal. They are confidential between the bank and the project proponent. I understand, through the CEO, that these are competitive market rates in terms of interest on the loan. These are loans that are repaid.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

What's a competitive market rate? Since you said you have some understanding of what the rates are, what would you consider a competitive market rate?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

I do not have any insight into what those rates are.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

You said you understand that they're competitive market rates, so what is your understanding of a competitive market rate?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

At this stage, I'm not here to talk about what competitive market rates are.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Did you ask? You were told that it was a competitive market rate. Did you ask what that rate was, in your capacity as minister?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

My understanding is that this committee was informed by the CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank that this loan was done at competitive market rates.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

You understood that the committee was informed, and you didn't make any inquiry as minister. You don't want to know.

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

The bank's confidential loan agreements are not my business. I'm responsible for oversight of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

It's the committee's business but not your business, and you're the minister. Is that what you're saying?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

It's not the committee's business either.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

They told the committee, and you do not want to know what the rates are, as the minister. Is that what you're saying to me, that it's not your business?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

As minister, I have oversight of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is attracting private capital through loan agreements, for the Mersey River wind farm in particular in this case. Those agreements are subject to legal requirements on confidentiality. They report to us.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

You approved a $40-billion budget for the Canada Infrastructure Bank. You claim that you are aware that they're issuing loans at market rates, and you do not even take the time to ask what a market rate is. Is that what you want this committee to believe, Minister?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC]

Through the chair, I'm not clear what the member is pursuing here. She wants the confidential details of loan agreements that the Canada Infrastructure Bank is making, potentially jeopardizing investment from the private sector into Canadian infrastructure. That seems to be where she's going with this.