Haldimand–Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis is calling for accountability after the Canada Infrastructure Bank approved a $1 billion loan to BC Ferries for ships built in China.
On July 7, Lewis and her Conservative colleagues successfully launched a parliamentary investigation into the deal. The subsidized loan will help BC Ferries purchase four new vessels from China Merchants Industry – a state-owned shipyard run by the Beijing government.
Lewis, who serves as the Conservative Critic for Infrastructure, called it “outrageous” that taxpayer money is supporting foreign jobs while Canadian steelworkers face layoffs.
The emergency motion passed with cross-party support and will bring key decision-makers, including Transport and Infrastructure Ministers Chrystia Freeland and Gregor Robertson, before the committee.
Lewis said the decision undermines Canadian industry and workers, especially at places like Stelco. She says Canadians deserve answers on why domestic shipbuilders and steel producers were bypassed in favour of a Communist-owned shipyard overseas.
Written by Jeremy Hall