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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 88
Monday, November 27, 2023, 11:04 a.m. to Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 5:48 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Kelly McCauley, Chair (Conservative)

• Luc Berthold for Stephanie Kusie (Conservative)
• Larry Brock for Kelly Block (Conservative)
• Rhéal Éloi Fortin for Julie Vignola (Bloc Québécois)
• Anna Gainey for Jenica Atwin (Liberal)
• Bernard Généreux for Kelly Block (Conservative)
• Larry Maguire for Stephanie Kusie (Conservative)
• Brian Masse for Gord Johns (NDP)
• Bryan May for Majid Jowhari (Liberal)
• Rick Perkins for Kelly Block (Conservative)
• Marcus Powlowski for Jenica Atwin (Liberal)
• Churence Rogers for Jenica Atwin (Liberal)
• Hon. Andrew Scheer for Stephanie Kusie (Conservative)
House of Commons
• Geneviève Desjardins, Procedural Clerk
• Nancy Vohl, Procedural Clerk
 
Library of Parliament
• Olivier Leblanc-Laurendeau, Analyst
• Ryan van den Berg, Analyst
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(4), the committee commenced consideration of the request by members of the committee to consider a request for contracts between the federal government and electric vehicle battery manufacturing.

Motion

Rick Perkins moved, —

That, given that,

(i) in light of recent troubling reports that the Liberal government’s multi-billion-dollar subsidies for electric vehicle battery manufacturers will support at least 1,600 foreign replacement workers in Windsor, Ontario and hundreds in Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville, Quebec, taking good, unionized jobs from Canadians,

(ii) the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirms that these subsidies may cost almost $6 billion more than the government claims, and

(iii) the Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions has called the decision to allow foreign replacement workers to replace Canadian jobs at the electronic vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Windsor, “a slap in the face” and an “insult to Canadian taxpayers”,

an order do issue for the production of copies of any contract, memorandum of understanding, or any other agreement between any minister, department, agency or Crown corporation of the Government of Canada, and

(a) Stellantis N.V., LG Energy Solutions, Ltd., NextStar Energy Inc. or Volta Energy Solutions Canada Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Windsor, Ontario;

(b) the Volkswagen Group, Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. or PowerCo SE, related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in St. Thomas, Ontario;

(c) Northvolt AB, Northvolt North America, Northvolt Batteries North America Inc. or Cubery, Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec;

(d) Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, EcoProBM Co., Ltd., EcoPro Innovation Co., Ltd., EcoPro Global, EcoPro Co., Ltd., ECOPRO, Eco CAM Canada Inc., EcoPro CAM Canada General Partner Inc., SK On Co., SK ie technology Co., Ltd., SK Inc., SK Innovation Co., Ltd., SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., Sunlake Co., Ltd. or EcoPro CAM Canada, LP, related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery materials production plant in Bécancour, Quebec; and

(e) Umicore Rechargeable Battery Materials Canada Inc., Umicore SA/NV or Umicore Canada Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery materials production plan in Loyalist Township, Ontario, and

an order do issue for copies of all Labour Market Impact Assessments, including the applications for them, prepared in relation to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Windsor, Ontario, provided that

(f) these documents shall be deposited with the clerk of the committee within one week, in both official languages and without redaction, and be published on the committee’s website,

(g) the Chair be instructed to present a report to the House forthwith advising it that it has adopted this motion, and

(h) in the event the documents have not been produced as ordered by the committee, to the Chair’s satisfaction, the Chair shall be instructed to present as soon as possible a further report to the House recommending that an order of the House do issue for the foregoing documents, provided that they shall be laid upon the table, in both official languages and without redaction, within one sitting day of the adoption of the order and thereupon be deemed permanently referred to this committee.

.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Gord Johns moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing in subparagraph g), the word “House” with the word “committee”.

At 11:47 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:49 a.m., the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

Debate resumed on the motion of Rick Perkins.

Amendment

Irek Kusmierczyk moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting subparagraphs (g) and (h).

Debate arose thereon.

Subamendment

Garnett Genuis moved, — That the amendment be amended by reinstating subparagraph (h).

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Garnett Genuis and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Luc Berthold, Garnett Genuis, Rick Perkins, Julie Vignola — 4;

NAYS: Parm Bains, Anna Gainey, Gord Johns, Irek Kusmierczyk, Bryan May, Charles Sousa — 6.

Debate resumed on the amendment of Irek Kusmierczyk.

At 12:56 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 6:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Irek Kusmierczyk and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Parm Bains, Majid Jowhari, Irek Kusmierczyk, Brian Masse, Churence Rogers, Charles Sousa — 6;

NAYS: Rhéal Éloi Fortin, Garnett Genuis, Larry Maguire, Rick Perkins — 4.

Debate resumed on the motion, as amended, of Rick Perkins.

On motion of Brian Masse, it was agreed on division, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “given that”; and by deleting subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii).

Debate resumed on the motion, as amended, of Rick Perkins.

Amendment

Julie Vignola moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “production of copies of” the following: “the text of any provisions relating to the hiring or use of foreign workers or concerning language requirements and language of work included in”.

Debate arose thereon.

At 7:58 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 8:11 p.m., the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

Amendment

Julie Vignola moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “Crown corporation of the Government of Canada,” the following: “and including, but not limited to, all provisions relating to the hiring or use of foreign workers and concerning language requirements and language of work,”.

Debate arose thereon.

At 8:14 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 8:22 p.m., the sitting resumed.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Julie Vignola and it was agreed to.

At 8:35 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:37 p.m., the sitting resumed on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Pursuant to Standing Order 106(4), the committee resumed consideration of the request by members of the committee to consider a request for contracts between the federal government and electric vehicle battery manufacturing.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Rick Perkins moved on Monday, November 27, 2023, which read as follows:

That an order do issue for the production of copies the text of any provisions relating to the hiring or use of foreign workers or concerning language requirements and language of work, included in of any contract, memorandum of understanding, or any other agreement between any minister, department, agency or Crown corporation of the Government of Canada, including, but not limited to, all provisions relating to the hiring or use of foreign workers and concerning language requirements and language of work, and

(a) Stellantis N.V., LG Energy Solutions, Ltd., NextStar Energy Inc. or Volta Energy Solutions Canada Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Windsor, Ontario;

(b) the Volkswagen Group, Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. or PowerCo SE, related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in St. Thomas, Ontario;

(c) Northvolt AB, Northvolt North America, Northvolt Batteries North America Inc. or Cubery, Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec;

(d) Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, EcoProBM Co., Ltd., EcoPro Innovation Co., Ltd., EcoPro Global, EcoPro Co., Ltd., ECOPRO, Eco CAM Canada Inc., EcoPro CAM Canada General Partner Inc., SK On Co., SK ie technology Co., Ltd., SK Inc., SK Innovation Co., Ltd., SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., Sunlake Co., Ltd. or EcoPro CAM Canada, LP, related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery materials production plant in Bécancour, Quebec; and

(e) Umicore Rechargeable Battery Materials Canada Inc., Umicore SA/NV or Umicore Canada Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery materials production plan in Loyalist Township, Ontario, and

an order do issue for copies of all Labour Market Impact Assessments, including the applications for them, prepared in relation to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Windsor, Ontario, provided that

(f) these documents shall be deposited with the clerk of the committee within one week, in both official languages and without redaction, and be published on the committee’s website.

On motion of Julie Vignola, it was agreed, — That the committee proceed to the consideration of the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2023-24.

At 3:39 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:40 p.m., the sitting resumed.

• Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Department of Public Works and Government Services
• Arianne Reza, Deputy Minister
• Wojo Zielonka, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Finance Branch
• Michael Mills, Assistant Deputy Minister, Procurement Branch
• Simon Page, Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence and Marine Procurement
• Catherine Poulin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Departmental Oversight Branch
Shared Services Canada
• Scott Davis, Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Financial Officer
• Scott Jones, President
• Daniel Mills, Assistant Deputy Minister, Enterprise IT Procurement and Corporate Services Branch
Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), the committee resumed consideration of the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2023-24: Vote 1b under Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat, Vote 1b under Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b under Department of Public Works and Government Services, Vote 1b under Privy Council Office, Votes 1b and 5b under Shared Services Canada and Votes 1b, 10b, 15b and 20b under Treasury Board Secretariat, referred to the committee on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

The Minister made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Motion

Garnett Genuis moved, — That the committee resume debate of the motion, as amended, of Rick Perkins moved on Monday, November 27, 2023.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Larry Brock, Garnett Genuis, Stephanie Kusie, Julie Vignola — 4;

NAYS: Parm Bains, Gord Johns, Majid Jowhari, Irek Kusmierczyk, Marcus Powlowski, Charles Sousa — 6.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Motion

Garnett Genuis moved, — That the committee resume debate on the motion, as amended, of Rick Perkins moved on Monday, November 27, 2023.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced:

YEAS: Larry Brock, Garnett Genuis, Gord Johns, Stephanie Kusie, Julie Vignola — 5;

NAYS: Parm Bains, Majid Jowhari, Irek Kusmierczyk, Marcus Powlowski, Charles Sousa — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

At 4:42 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:46 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Rick Perkins moved on Monday, November 27, 2023, which read as follows:

That an order do issue for the production of copies the text of any provisions relating to the hiring or use of foreign workers or concerning language requirements and language of work, included in of any contract, memorandum of understanding, or any other agreement between any minister, department, agency or Crown corporation of the Government of Canada, including, but not limited to, all provisions relating to the hiring or use of foreign workers and concerning language requirements and language of work, and

(a) Stellantis N.V., LG Energy Solutions, Ltd., NextStar Energy Inc. or Volta Energy Solutions Canada Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Windsor, Ontario;

(b) the Volkswagen Group, Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. or PowerCo SE, related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in St. Thomas, Ontario;

(c) Northvolt AB, Northvolt North America, Northvolt Batteries North America Inc. or Cubery, Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec;

(d) Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, EcoProBM Co., Ltd., EcoPro Innovation Co., Ltd., EcoPro Global, EcoPro Co., Ltd., ECOPRO, Eco CAM Canada Inc., EcoPro CAM Canada General Partner Inc., SK On Co., SK ie technology Co., Ltd., SK Inc., SK Innovation Co., Ltd., SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., Sunlake Co., Ltd. or EcoPro CAM Canada, LP, related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery materials production plant in Bécancour, Quebec; and

(e) Umicore Rechargeable Battery Materials Canada Inc., Umicore SA/NV or Umicore Canada Inc., related to the construction of an electric vehicle battery materials production plan in Loyalist Township, Ontario, and

an order do issue for copies of all Labour Market Impact Assessments, including the applications for them, prepared in relation to the construction of an electric vehicle battery facility in Windsor, Ontario, provided that

(f) these documents shall be deposited with the clerk of the committee within one week, in both official languages and without redaction, and be published on the committee’s website.

Amendment

Charles Sousa moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting subparagraph (f) and by adding after the words “provided that” the following: “when these documents are received by the clerk:

(f) they be available at the clerk's office for viewing by committee members only, for one week to be designated by the committee no later than 30 days following the receipt of the contracts, under the supervision of the clerk and that no personal mobile, electronic or recording devices of any kind be permitted in the room that week; and that no notes be taken out of the room;

(g) representatives of Innovation, Science and Economic Development be invited to appear for a two hour in camera meeting and that during the meeting, only committee members and support staff required for the meeting be permitted to attend and that no personal mobile, electronic or recording devices of any kind be permitted in the room during the meeting; that, during the meeting, numbered paper copies of the documents be given to committee members who are present in person by the clerk at the beginning of the said meeting and that these copies be returned to the clerk at the end of the meeting and that the clerk be instructed to destroy the said copies; and that no notes be taken out of the room;

(h) that redacted versions of these documents shall be deposited with the clerk of the committee within three weeks, in both official languages.”.

Debate arose thereon.

At 5:48 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Nancy Vohl
Committee clerk