Government Operations and Estimates

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met to study the government’s response to a motion for the production of papers concerning agreements between the Government of Canada and Stellantis regarding the Brampton assembly plant. Appearing as witnesses were Philip Jennings, Deputy Minister, Department of Industry; Denis Martel, Director General, Innovation Canada; Stephanie Tanton, Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation Canada; Michel Bédard, Interim Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel; and Benoit Tessier, Director General, Industry Sector.

Philip Jennings explained that the department proposed providing the committee with a minimally redacted version of the contribution agreement for in-camera review, a practice used with other parliamentary committees to balance transparency with the protection of commercially confidential information. He argued that public release of such details could harm Canada’s ability to attract future investments and that the department had a contractual obligation to consult Stellantis on redactions. He noted that the redactions were less extensive than what the Access to Information Act would allow and that the department had not discussed providing a fully unredacted document with Stellantis.

Denis Martel clarified that redactions of provincial funding envelopes were based on the locations of disbursements, not the program titles, and that these were requested by Stellantis as commercially confidential. He supported Jennings’s account of the consultation process with the company.

Stephanie Tanton described the negotiation process for strategic innovation fund agreements, including due diligence on technical, market, and financial aspects, and noted that a small team of four to six people, in addition to those at the table, had access to the full contract. She stated that legal counsel was not present in every negotiation but was consulted when clauses deviated from the standard template.

Michel Bédard confirmed that clause 16.1 of the contract, a typical confidentiality provision, does not override the power of Parliament or the courts to compel the production of documents. He advised that if Stellantis refused a formal summons, the committee could report the matter to the House as a question of privilege.

Benoit Tessier added that Canada’s approach to protecting commercially sensitive information is similar to that of other G7 countries competing for foreign direct investment, and that public disclosure would weaken Canada’s negotiating position.

During questioning, members expressed frustration that Stellantis did not appear due to technical issues, and several argued that the redactions—particularly of job guarantees, R&D commitments, and schedules—hindered accountability. The committee adopted a motion moved by Iqra Khalid requiring Stellantis representatives to appear for at least one hour on or before December 4, 2025, with a summons to be issued for December 9 if they fail to appear.