Over the course of seven meetings, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (the Committee) conducted a study on the influence of global consulting firm McKinsey & Company (McKinsey) on the creation and the beginnings of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB).

Witnesses debated the risks and benefits of the government’s use of external consultants, both generally and specifically in relation to the CIB. The Committee also heard testimony on the creation and establishment of the CIB, from its initial proposal in the Liberal Party of Canada’s 2015 election platform, through recommendations by the Advisory Council on Economic Growth, the development of initial internal policies assisted by McKinsey consultants, and its first investment.

Witnesses included former cabinet ministers, current and former employees and board members of the CIB, McKinsey representatives, as well as past members of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth. They provided testimony on the influence, both past and present, of McKinsey on the design of the CIB, its operations, as well as its investment decisions.