Industry and Technology

The committee was studying Bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act, 2025, No. 1, and appeared before the Industry and Technology committee alongside Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly and senior officials.

Charles Vincent, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the Industry Sector, was present as a witness but did not provide substantive testimony during the meeting, as the minister answered all questions directed to the department.

Minister Joly testified that the budget implementation act is essential for Canada's industrial strategy, providing tools like the strategic response fund to support major projects and protect critical industries amid global economic changes and U.S. tariffs. She announced a new auto strategy task force with federal and Ontario partners, including Flavio Volpe, Lana Payne, and Premier Doug Ford, aimed at securing production of the next Honda Civic and Toyota RAV4 in Canada, and using defence procurement as leverage. She defended the EV subsidy program, arguing it supports domestic production and affordability, and noted that countertariffs on U.S. automakers that reduce Canadian production will limit their access to incentives. She emphasized the urgency of passing the budget to provide predictability for businesses and workers, and highlighted measures for food sovereignty, steel sector support, and the forestry industry.

Minister Joly disagreed with Conservative members who criticized the EV subsidy for being available to American-made vehicles, arguing that U.S. automakers with Canadian plants still employ thousands of workers and that countermeasures, such as reduced market access for companies like Stellantis and GM, ensure the program supports domestic production. She also disagreed with the Bloc Québécois member's criticism of changes to greenwashing provisions in the Competition Act, stating the original rules were ill-advised and the new framework provides predictability for investment in the energy transition. On the forestry industry, she acknowledged challenges from tariffs and noted ongoing work with the natural resources minister, while on the defence industrial strategy, she said the goal is to end reliance on U.S. procurement and create Canadian jobs through domestic building and partnerships.

The committee debated a motion from Conservative MP Raquel Dancho to study federal EV policies, including Chinese EVs, with the minister testifying for two hours alone. After amendments from Liberal MP Karim Bardeesy to add a government response requirement under Standing Order 109, and from Liberal MP Dominique O'Rourke to strike the word "alone," the motion was adopted as amended.