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Finance

During question period on finance, Conservatives raised the RCMP raid on Lion Electric’s offices, saying the government had put over $500 million in grants and financing into the company and that the minister involved in those decisions is now finance minister. They described the spending as taxpayer money going to companies with Liberal connections and asked the government to release records on money lost through Export Development Canada and to protect public funds. The government side said the finance minister works hard for Canadians and declined to comment further because the matter is under RCMP investigation, while expressing confidence in the RCMP to do a thorough job.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Greg McLean

Conservative

Linked statement

“The RCMP raided Lion Electric yesterday. The government gave that company over $500 million, but called it a calculated risk. The minister who did that is now the finance minister. If he cannot judge risk, Canadians cannot trust him to manage the budget.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the RCMP raided the offices of Lion electric. This pump-and-dump scheme involved over $500 million in government grants and Canada Infrastructure Bank financing, plus an undisclosed amount from Export Development Canada. The Liberals called this a calculated risk and claimed “rigorous due diligence was conducted.” Clearly, that minister, now the finance minister, cannot evaluate risk. With investment success like this under his belt, how can Canadians count on the finance minister’s ability to manage the budget? Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“The finance minister works hard every day for Canadians. I cannot comment on this issue because the RCMP is investigating it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 35 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let me just underscore the work of the finance minister, who works day and night to ensure that Canadians are able to be resilient, to work hard and to bear the fruits of their labour. That is the work of the finance minister. As for the matter that my friend opposite brought forward, the matter is being investigated by the RCMP, and I am unable to comment any further.

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Greg McLean

Conservative
“The Liberals give tax money to their friends' companies, insiders take millions, and the businesses fail. The government must release the hidden records on money lost at Export Development Canada and let the RCMP investigate how much taxpayers lost.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that has become the Liberal template: pump taxpayer funds into companies connected to Liberal friends, watch millions get extracted by insiders and hope the public is not paying attention when the bankruptcy follows. This level of incompetence earned the minister a promotion from the Prime Minister. Will the Liberals take this opportunity to come clean and release the additional information from the financial losses experienced by Export Development Canada, information they have withheld from this Parliament, and allow the RCMP to get a full picture of how much in taxpayer funds has been lost due to the minister’s gross incompetence?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“I trust the RCMP to do a thorough investigation. Because of that investigation, I cannot say anything more.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 48 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have every confidence in the RCMP being able to undertake this investigation and do a thorough job. As the matter is being investigated, as members are fully aware, I am unable to comment any further.

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Jacques Gourde

Conservative
“The RCMP is investigating Lion Electric for fraud after the government gave it public money. Taxpayers paid for this mistake. I want to know if the government has done anything to protect people's money and stop this kind of spending.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has thrown taxpayers under Lion Electric buses. Liberals talk about calculated risks and rigorous verification, Canadians paid the price for this fiasco. The RCMP searched Lion Electric’s headquarters as part of a financial fraud investigation. This is another clear indication that we must put an end to economic patronage. Has the Liberal government put in place any safeguards to protect Canadians’ money?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“We trust the police to do their job. Because they are investigating this matter, I cannot comment on it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, unlike the party opposite, we have every confidence in the RCMP to be able to do its job. The matter is under investigation, and I am unable to comment any further.

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