Debates of May 29th, 2023

Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, is the regional fairness equity model of the minister available publicly?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I am being public about it right now. Where there is a major investment in a particular province, we expect the province to contribute a fair share.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, where can the public get this model from the minister right now?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, they can hear what I just said. I think it is pretty straightforward, and actually it is—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, if it is straightforward, what mathematical model was used for the minister to create her own model with regard to this regional fairness analysis? What timelines take place with regard to how she equates that, and what taxation and other policies follow to equate to what an investment is worth?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, this is a long-standing, fair and reasonable Canadian practice. Where there is a significant investment in a particular province, it is the expectation of the federal government that this province will contribute a fair share.

I think that is entirely reasonable.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, does the minister feel that there have been regions pitted against each other by a proposal that we do not understand?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, on the contrary, I understand that, as a government, we are making massive investments in the clean economy.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, how many regions are in the minister's actual model that she uses to evaluate this proportion of the budgetary resources of Canada?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, all regions of Canada.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, does the minister have a specific number of how many regions? Are they provinces or municipalities? Is this based upon square footage? What is it?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, it is a long-standing and essential—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Windsor West.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, when the member mentions that it is long-standing, what date did that start, that there were actually regional evaluations related to financing? Is St. Thomas in the same region as Windsor?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, it is reasonable and actually the expectation of Canadians across the country that where there is a particular project in a particular province, that the province—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Windsor West.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, if St. Thomas receives a different deal than the Windsor auto workers who have been producing for over 100 years, with a plant that has been here for over 100 years, does the minister feel that this is actually the same situation?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, no federal government has supported auto workers or supported the auto workers of Windsor more than our government, and I am proud that we have done that. This is an essential part of—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Windsor West.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, if this project fails, will the minister reimburse the City of Windsor and its residents for all the money, time and negotiations that have taken place?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, this project will not fail.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, has the minister talked to Premier Ford, and is it her opinion that the problem is at the provincial level? Is that her excuse for regionalism, as opposed to taking the responsibility for doing the project through a national auto policy in which everyone would be treated fairly?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, of course I have spoken to the premier, and I have every confidence that, together, we are going to get this project done.

He believes in the car sector, just as our government does.