Ottawa, ON – Tomorrow, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) will decide whether to pursue answers on the Gordie Howe International Bridge agreement, and the Liberals will have a chance to stand on the side of accountability.
For too long, Canada has faced intimidation and abuse from US President Donald Trump and his administration. As Conservative Shadow Minister for Canada-United States Relations Shuvaloy Majumdar said in his letter to the Prime Minister, “Canadians are sick and tired of the constant threats, illegal tariffs and duties on our goods.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal government have responded to these tactics with concession after concession, while failing to secure a long-term deal to protect our workers and businesses.
Recently, that meant ceding half of the net revenues from the Gordie Howe International Bridge to the US, when the original 2012 agreement would have seen Canada keep all the revenues from a bridge until the full building cost was recouped.
Worse yet, both Carney and Finance Minister Champagne made public statements that contradicted this revised deal before the full text was released last week.
All of this raises more questions that it answers, which is why Conservatives requested OGGO look into the Gordie Howe International Bridge agreement and how it came to be. Tomorrow, Liberals on the Committee will have an opportunity to put principle ahead of party and support a study of the issue.
His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition wants to work with the government and all parties to protect Canada’s economy, jobs and communities. But that starts with understanding the situation we are in.