Debates of May 29th, 2023

Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member has one minute.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Madam Chair, what Canadians know is that they are going to food banks in record numbers. In my town of Orangeville, there has been a 65% increase in seniors accessing food banks since 2015. This is a result of the carbon tax increasing the cost of food and everything else.

Will the finance minister finally admit that the carbon tax is costing Canadians and driving inflation?

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

Madam Chair, Canadians also know that the women's labour force participation rate in prime working age is 85% in Canada, compared to just 77% in the U.S. That is a record high. That is one of the things driving our economic recovery, and it is thanks to the child care program that these Conservatives voted against.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.

I thank the minister for being here.

The first question is related to auto. Have you met with, and agreed with the terms and conditions from, Stellantis and LG about the specific amounts being requested for the Windsor battery plant?

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member has to address questions and comments through the Chair and not directly to the minister.

The hon. minister.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Madam Chair, it is a really important question. I want to assure the hon. member that this is a priority for our government. We are very seized with it. I have been in touch with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, is the federal government going to match the Stellantis-LG battery request with that of the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States? Will that be met? Is that the policy of the government?

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

Madam Chair, I learned during the NAFTA negotiations never to negotiate in public, but I will say this: We are expecting the company to be reasonable because we need a reasonable deal for Canadians, and we are expecting Ontario to contribute its fair share. That is one of the things we—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, we are negotiating in public, including the company saying that the government has reneged on its position, clawing back responsibility. Does the minister agree with the company's position on that?

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

Certainly not, Madam Chair, but I am absolutely confident that we are going to get a good deal for Canada, a good deal for Canadian workers and a good deal for Canadians across the country.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, was the IRA ever brought up in any meetings, prior to the Volkswagen deal, with Stellantis in discussions of the agreement with the Windsor plant?

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

Madam Chair, again, I do not think it serves Canadians for us to negotiate in public. The IRA is definitely material here, and it is also material that—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, is the Volkswagen deal any different from the Stellantis deal?

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

As I was saying, Madam Chair, it is also material that this deal predates the IRA. That is significant too.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, if the minister claims regional fairness, why is there a difference between what is taking place in St. Thomas and Windsor?

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

Madam Chair, it is very important that we have regional equity in Canada. It is one of the founding principles of our country. That means when there are—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, when was this model of regional equity introduced in terms of the minister's federal budgets? Is it just in this one, or is it in previous ones?

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

Madam Chair, regional equity and provincial contributions in major investments are a very long-standing Canadian tradition. Members can take a look at any major—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Madam Chair, since Windsor has been the automotive capital of Canada for over 100 years, with investments that have taken place and taxes provided to this country, does that length of tenure equate into the formula of the minister's regional analysis?

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

Madam Chair, I am a huge fan of Windsor. I was proud to stand up for the people of Windsor during the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge. I was proud of the work our government did on getting Canada carved into the U.S. EV incentives, and I am proud of the work we did for the people of Windsor on NAFTA. We will—