Transport Committee on April 15th, 2026

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

Minister, you're contradicting yourself. You said that they disclosed that it was at market rate, so there's no jeopardy here. What I'm trying to establish is the right of Canadians to know how their tax dollars are being spent.

Can you understand that Canadians believe that the Canada Infrastructure Bank is just an institution set up for Liberal insiders to get money at below market rates? You're not here trying to clarify that, Minister, in your authority.

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

First and foremost, this project is supported by the Conservative Government of Nova Scotia, so in terms of any partisan assertions, that's completely false. This project stands on its own feet with its own merits. It's creating jobs. It's creating clean power. It's investment from the private sector into Nova Scotia and into a clean grid project.

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

When were you first made aware of this project, Minister?

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

I was aware of this project probably a week before the announcement that happened in Mersey River, which I was very fortunate to go to. A member present here hosted us in her riding for the announcement.

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

You were aware before it was finalized. When you first became aware that individuals involved in the project had previously held roles in the Liberal government or had close political connections, what did you do about that, Minister?

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

I had no knowledge of the deal terms or any of the specifics. That is between the Infrastructure Bank and the proponent.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Thank you, Dr. Lewis.

Next I'll turn the floor over to Ms. Nguyen.

Ms. Nguyen, the floor is yours. You have six minutes, please.

[Chi Nguyen, Liberal, Spadina—Harbourfront, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks very much, Minister, for joining us today, coming back to transport committee and giving us a chance to learn more about this work.

We know that building Canada requires all of us to step into bold ideas about how we support and leverage good growth. We're seeing projects like this in the Mersey River initiative, supported through the CIB, that bring together infrastructure financing and long-term economic development. This signals to Canadians a more coordinated approach to building not just individual projects but systems that really unlock growth.

For me, what's exciting about this is that we are reinvesting public dollars in a way that allows us to keep building to take on bigger and more ambitious nation-building projects.

Minister, could you walk us through how projects like this align with the government's broader approach to building big, especially when it comes to coordinating transportation, housing and economic development across regions?

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

Certainly the Canada Infrastructure Bank will play a key role in scaling up the infrastructure we need now across Canada to have the fastest-growing economy in the G7, to create the jobs that we need now, and to make sure it's done in a way that delivers results for Canadians.

In this case, in Nova Scotia, we're going to see job creation and a clean, renewable energy project coming onto the grid. The Nova Scotia government, which as I just mentioned is a Progressive Conservative government, is very keen on this project. They are very strong supporters of it and want to see more projects like this.

The Infrastructure Bank is really a central player in attracting private capital to invest in our infrastructure and to create these jobs. To date, the CIB has committed just over $18 billion of capital that is ultimately taxpayer-funded, and it has attracted over $25 billion of private capital into infrastructure. That's now almost $55 billion of capital value in those projects.

There are 108 projects to date, and obviously there is rigorous scrutiny on all 108 of those projects. They report annually through the annual report, but there's also lots of information available online.

It's providing a great service to Canadians in terms of making capital available in a country with big infrastructure needs and a shortage of capital. We need more private capital in the mix. We don't want to rely on only our taxpayers to fund everything here. In this case, because the terms are competitive and because the commercial rigour is paramount, we're seeing successful deals and great delivery on infrastructure across Canada.

[Chi Nguyen, Liberal, Spadina—Harbourfront, ON]

In Toronto, we're seeing this play out along the waterfront, where transit investments like waterfront transit are directly tied to unlocking housing, jobs and new communities. Can you talk about how we can better align our federal tools to support that kind of integrated planning where transit, housing and economic development can move forward together?

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

There are now 15 public transit projects supported by the Infrastructure Bank, which speaks to the importance of not only public transit but also, as the member stated, the connection and overlap with developing more housing and growing our economy. We're seeing a significant number of projects coming forward that combine infrastructure, trade and transportation, and public transit, in the case of Toronto. There are several examples of that.

Regarding additional private capital being brought to the table, historically Canada relied on public capital from taxpayers to fund these projects. In this case, the innovation of having an infrastructure bank that has the tools of public financing and can also draw in capital finance is a huge benefit for many of these projects, which deliver more than just the economic outcome. They deliver real value in terms of community building.

As the member stated, building communities where public transit is needed or where housing-enabling infrastructure is needed requires investment. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is doing a great job of those triple-word-score investments that have wins across the board for Canadians.

[Chi Nguyen, Liberal, Spadina—Harbourfront, ON]

Minister, could you talk about the role that you see the Canada Infrastructure Bank playing in scaling that model to ensure that projects aren't delivered in silos but are part of a coordinated national infrastructure strategy?

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

We see projects supported by the Infrastructure Bank right across the country. There are over 40 projects in the west, where I come from. Ontario now has 34 projects. Quebec has 11 projects. Atlantic Canada has 15 projects. Mersey River Wind is number 15. There are half a dozen projects in the north.

Projects are spread very equitably across the country, which is very important for Canada. We have to make sure we're building in all the regions. Over 300,000 jobs have been created through these projects. That's very significant job creation, and that's also a key element of this.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Thank you, Ms. Nguyen.

Mr. Barsalou‑Duval, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Welcome to the committee, Minister.

Mr. Robertson, you are the minister responsible for the Canada Infrastructure Bank. As such, you are the minister responsible for granting the $200-million loan to friends of the Liberal Party.

The board of directors of the company in question includes Michel Samson, a former Nova Scotia minister, who is the brother of Darrell Samson, a well-known former Liberal MP. There is also Edgar Samson, another of Darrell Samson's brothers. Then we have Mitchell Brison, who is the brother of Scott Brison, a former Liberal MP and minister under Justin Trudeau. Finally, we have Daniel Roscoe, who is the son-in-law of David Dingwall, a former Liberal MP.

Do you know any of the individuals in that group of people?

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

I thank the member for the question.

I don't know any of the people involved that the member is mentioning. I do know that—

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

Then, you have never met them in the past, at a Liberal convention or at a caucus or party meeting.

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

No, I do not know the individuals involved behind the scenes with the proponent. I know that the Canada Infrastructure Bank does its due diligence and works with credible partners. There's an exhaustive process—

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

I just find that surprising. Usually, people in a political party vaguely know each other. In any case, I know most of the people involved in the Bloc Québécois. I assume you know most of the people involved in the Liberal Party, and these are prominent figures.

Speaking of acquaintances, that leads me to another question. At the last meeting, MP Shannon Miedema boasted to us that she personally knew Mr. Roscoe, one of the shareholders in that group. She also boasted about having worked with the Infrastructure Bank.

Do you find it odd that Liberal members who have personal relationships with project proponents are sent here to defend projects? Do you think that makes your government look good?

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

The Infrastructure Bank conducts its business with credible business people. They do the work and the due diligence that are necessary.

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

You're not answering my question. I'm not talking about the Canada Infrastructure Bank. I'm talking about a member of Parliament who has a personal relationship with a project proponent and who came to defend the project before the committee.

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

I think there's a field of relationships. Certainly regionally, lots of members have many relationships with business people or politicians, community representatives—

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

I gather that this is perfectly normal for you, as is the fact that these people were granted a loan after many lobbying sessions. I think even your office was lobbied, if I'm not mistaken. In fact, there was one dated January 7, 2026. On June 17, they met with several Liberal MPs from the Nova Scotia region. On February 12, they met with the office of the member for Central Nova, Sean Fraser, who is also the Minister of Justice. On February 23, it was the policy adviser to the Prime Minister.

I imagine you meet, pat yourselves on the back and give each other loans. That is perfectly normal. Is that correct?

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

Again, lots of project proponents meet with local members of Parliament. They are obviously present in their ridings. It's normal for members of Parliament to be consulted and informed about projects that proponents are bringing forward of all different types. Housing, infrastructure and public transit, in the realms that I am responsible for right now, are—

[Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc, Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC]

I'm trying to understand. You're telling me that the Canada Infrastructure Bank is completely independent and that it makes its decisions on its own, but at the same time, we see that there were a lot of meetings between lobbyists and Liberals.

Why do they meet, if there's no point?