Appearance before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) by Deputy Minister Jennings

Table of contents

• Reasons for redactions to contracts provided by OGGO
• Compromise model for document sharing
• Resolution process
• Stellantis investments
• Special contribution agreements with battery manufacturers
• Delays and challenges in Canada's automotive industry's transition to electrification
• Canada's auto sector: Impacts of U.S. tariffs
• High level list of major EV-related announcements
• Related news releases
• Publicly-released letter from Minister Joly to Stellantis
• ISED response to the October 20 OGGO motion: Letter dated November 3
• ISED response to the October 20 OGGO motion: Letter dated November 5
• Scenario note for Deputy Jennings' Appearance before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates
• Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO)
• Bio of the members of the committee

Reasons for redactions to contracts provided to OGGO

Question: Why has the department made redactions to the documents requested by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates? Why are these redactions important?

Key messages:

The risk

• ISED works with industry to develop and advance projects in Canada that create and maintain jobs while building economic value for Canadian. To do that, the department must hold commercially confidential information and maintain the trust of companies that invest in Canada
• The Strategic Response Fund alone has 153 contribution agreements with 137 companies worth $75 billion in investment. Having the trust and confidence of these companies is critical to maintaining Canada as a reliable destination for major business development
• From a private industry perspective, releasing commercially confidential information can have several negative impacts such as:
  • financial losses
  • loss of competitive advantage
  • exposure to costly legal proceedings
  • difficulty for Canadian entities to secure investment mandates in Canada from their headquarters
• From the Crown's perspective, the future ability to pursue the policy interests of any elected government would be impaired if departments released commercially confidential information shared by businesses without consent
• In this case sharing information outside the scope of the company's consent would also be a violation of the terms of the agreement
• This violation would have both short-term and long-term impacts on Canada, which would extending beyond the Strategic Response Fund
• First, sharing of commercially confidential information, would erode trust in Canada as a reliable business partner. Preserving the trust of third parties and ensuring that their confidential information is protected is paramount for any business relationship and is critical to government prior to entering into contractual relationships with a business
• Second, violating this confidentially could result in companies being unwilling to share information with departments, which, in turn, would undermine the analysis and due diligence that supports departmental advice and government decision making
  • For the SRF, this would mean the department would be unable to undertake thorough market, technical and financial due diligence for projects under consideration for funding
• Third, sharing commercially confidential information such as repayment terms could hurt the government's negotiating position with current and future projects in development. Canada is making major investments and having a strong negotiation position is important to get the best return on investment for Canada
• Finally, this could negatively impact Canada's ability to compete with other jurisdictions who are vying for the same investments by disclosing Canadian approaches to securing investments, ultimately eroding investment attraction to Canada. Private investments are key for Canada's economic well-being. Investments create jobs, economic growth and contribute to quality of life for Canadians

Proposed approach

• As I stated in my letter to the Committee, ISED continually aims for maximum transparency. The department's approach, in the past and to this request, has been to maximize transparency while respecting ISED's obligations to protect commercially confidential information
• Seeking the company's consent to share information with minimal redactions and ensuring protections related to viewing the documents maintain Canada's reputation as a trustworthy business partner
• Most recently this approach was used successfully in the 44th Parliament by the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) and the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI)
• These frameworks enable ISED to reconcile the department's strongly shared commitment to transparency with its legal obligations towards recipients while helping maintain Canada's reputation as a trustworthy business partner
• In the case of the Strategic Response Fund, doing otherwise would undermine investment attraction and, in turn, would jeopardize job creation and economic growth in Canada

Sections being released and redacted

• Upon receiving OGGO's request, ISED engaged the company to seek consent to share the commercially confidential contribution agreement with the Committee. The department worked with the company to minimize the number of redactions and to provide the Committee with as much information as possible
• Legal counsels were present in some meetings, underscoring the importance the company attached to providing information to the Committee while ensuring its confidential information is protected
• The information that has been shared with the committee is not public, and the company provided consent on the understanding that the material would be treated as commercially confidential. Specifically:
  • Stellantis' consent is based on the fact that the discussion would be in-camera and that further protection measures for the handling of documents would be implemented by the Committee to ensure the protection of confidentiality (no digital or recording devices, only providing members with redacted paper copies, reviews under strict conditions with the supervision of OGGO's clerk)
  • Stellantis' also clearly indicated that their consent to disclosed confidential information does not waive any of Stellantis's other rights under the Agreement
• The provisions that would normally be redacted but have been released to Committee members include:
  • Terms of the agreement (eligibility date in definition, duration of agreement in section 3.2)
  • Elements related to the contribution amount (section 4)
  • Project location (section 5.2, some element in 6.3.1 c))
  • Benefits commitments included those related to jobs (section 6.3.1a)); facilities closures (section 6.3.4); and supply chains (section 6.3.10).
  • The general default and remedies section (section 14), including the resolution process (Schedule 5)
  • Confidentiality and consent provisions (section 16)
  • Redactions have been limited to those that the company identified as the most commercially confidential and, if released, could harm the company and undermine its competitive position
• The main sections being redacted are:
  • The Statement of Work (SOW), which includes all activities and sub-activities necessary to implement the project (Schedule 1). The SOW includes detailed project activities, sub-activities, and cost breakdowns by location, category, and year
  • Specific remedies in case of default (section 14.3 of Amendment 1)
  • Details related to the breakdown of the overall contribution per project location (section 4.1 Contribution)
  • HR and business strategy commitments (section 6.3.1 b) d) and e))

Minimal redactions in other parts of the agreement relate to project activities (some elements in Recital III), an intellectual property provision (section 11.8) unique to the project, and some benefits commitments that reveals business strategy (level of R&D expenditure commitment (s. 6.3.5); CapEx expenditure commitment – 6.3.6)), activities related to provincial funding (section 7.1)

Compromise model for document sharing

Question: How does ISED balance the need to protect confidential information in contracts and contribution agreements, with Parliament's right to order documents?

Key messages:

• The Department consistently aims for maximum transparency when responding to Parliamentary orders, in compliance with its legal obligations
  • This includes the requirement to consult with impacted companies when their sensitive information is affected
• Through our negotiations with Stellantis, ISED sought to redact only the most sensitive business information. The proposed approach to document handling is made to protect information that is unredacted, but still sensitive
  • The company has requested that lightly redacted documents be viewed in hard copy
  • MPs would review the documents in a secure location, with no personal electronic devices, under the supervision of the Clerk
  • Departmental officials would be available to answer questions about the documents in an in-camera session
• This approach has been adopted by other Parliamentary committees to balance the important rights of Members of Parliament and the need to protect Canada's ability to enter into agreements with private companies
• With this approach, the Department is following precedent established with previous Parliamentary committees
• ISED has shared sensitive contracts with two committees in the 44th Parliament, including:
  • Twice, with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU): Contracts with Volkswagen related to their proposed facility in St. Thomas in 2023; and the contract with NextStar related to its battery facility in Windsor in 2024
  • With House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) in 2024, where the department shared contracts with all Net Zero Accelerator program participants

Background:

ISED has provided Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) contracts to Parliament on three occasions:

• Contribution Agreement with Volkswagen related to the St. Thomas battery facility to INDU in May 2023
• Contribution Agreement with NextStar (a Stellantis/LG joint partnership) related to their battery facility in Windsor to INDU in March 2024
• Contribution Agreements and Term Sheets for all Net Zero Accelerator Fund projects to ENVI in May/October 2024

The compromise model for document handling was first used by MPs during reviews of vaccine purchasing contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In that case, documents were provided without redactions while the rest of the document handling provisions were utilized.

For the INDU processes, document handling requirements were included in the motion. For ENVI, document handling was negotiated with the committee through an exchange of letters following the initial motion requesting unredacted documents. In the ENVI case, opposition MPs did express concerns with the redacted nature of the departmental response, however, prorogation and the 2025 election interrupted the Committee's study of the issue.

During negotiations, the company expressed significant concerns that commercially confidential information might be released. As a result, the company only provided conditional approval for the sharing of their contribution agreement, specifically:

1. only redacted versions would be shared
2. to respect confidentiality, only paper copies would be made available to members
3. reviews would be done under the supervision of OGGO's clerk
4. no electronic or recording devices be allowed in the room
5. no notes be taken out of the room

Resolution process

Question: Where are you in the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) Resolution Process with Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA))? Will the Government put Stellantis in default?

Key messages:

• All agreements are actively monitored to ensure that benefits commitments are upheld
• In cases where compliance issues are detected or confirmed, ISED engages the recipient to gather additional information to seek a resolution or determine path forward
• The Minister indicated on November 3, 2025, that the Department will initiate the Resolution Process with Stellantis as per Schedule 5 of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Agreement
• We are working with Stellantis to gather information, in particular what are Stellantis' intention regarding obtaining another mandate for the Brampton Plant
• We will continue to work with Stellantis to resolve issues as long as efforts are demonstrated and the company continues to work in good faith
• If compliance cannot be achieved voluntarily, the recipient will be issued a Notice of Breach and be provided an opportunity to take corrective measures. If there is further non-compliance, the Minister may declare an event of default has occurred, at which point the Department will seek to recover funds. The Minister may also initiate legal recourse

Stellantis investments

Question: What is the Government of Canada doing in response to Stellantis' announced decision to move the Jeep Compass mandate from Brampton, Ontario, to Illinois?

Key messages:

• The Government of Canada has made clear to the company that this decision is unacceptable, and that Canada expects the company to honour the commitments it made to Canada, Ontario, and the union
• Canada has established a response team, including the province, the union, and the company, with the objective of securing the future of the Brampton plant
• At the same time, the Government of Canada is assessing its legal options to ensure accountability to Canadian workers and the future of the auto sector in Canada

Supplementary messages:

• Canada's automotive industry is one of the country's largest manufacturing sectors, anchored around five global automotive companies — Stellantis, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and Honda — that are supported by a diverse supply chain of nearly 700 automotive parts manufacturers across Canada
• The Government of Canada remains committed to maintaining a strong Canadian automotive industry and the well-paying jobs that come with it
• The Government of Canada is working to promote growth and investment in the automotive and EV battery supply chains, while creating and maintaining jobs across the country
• Through the Strategic Response Fund, Canada is ready to support automotive firms as they adapt project timelines, helping them remain competitive while advancing electrification

Background

In 2024, the automotive sector contributed $16.8 billion to Canada's GDP, directly employed over 125,000 workers and supported over 427,000 indirect jobs. 

The governments of Canada, Ontario and Quebec have worked to attract significant private investments in electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing since 2020. The Government of Canada has announced its support through various initiatives including Investment Tax Credits (Finance Canada), the Strategic Response Fund (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – ISED) and Special Contribution Agreements (ISED).

In May 2022, the Government of Canada, through the Strategic Response Fund (SRF), announced contributions of up to $529 million to support a $3.6 billion investment to transition Stellantis' Brampton and Windsor facilities to produce electrified vehicles (EV). The Province of Ontario is also supporting the project with an investment of up to $513 million. Stellantis' plant in Brampton has been closed since 2024 for retooling purposes.

On October 14, 2025, Stellantis announced that it would reopen its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois for production of two Jeep vehicles, including the Jeep Compass, initially planned to start being manufactured in 2026 at the Brampton, ON facility.

Special contribution agreements with battery manufacturers

Question: Why is the Government of Canada providing significant production incentives to battery manufacturers through Special Contribution Agreements?

Key messages:

• The Government of Canada supports the automotive industry's transition to electrification, which will help maintain and create jobs, promote economic growth, and advance the shift towards a net-zero economy
• In response to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act's Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, Canada announced production-based support, through Special Contribution Agreements for specific battery manufacturing projects
• The Government of Canada's support through Special Contribution Agreements is dependent on production at, and sales from, battery plants located in Canada
• As production increases, so will the economic benefits to Canada

Supplementary messages:

• Canada has everything it needs to lead in the global electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem: strength in automotive manufacturing, a talented workforce, green energy, and critical minerals
• In recent years, Canada attracted key investments to produce EVs, as well as batteries and battery components, through a number of initiatives, including the Strategic Innovation Fund (now part of the new Strategic Response Fund), manufacturing investment tax credits, and Special Contribution Agreements

Background:

Jurisdictions across North America are competing for ZEV and automotive supply chain investments. The passage of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and the use of its Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit (AMPC) to support U.S.-based battery projects posed a challenge to Canada's ability to compete for North American battery manufacturing investments. This is why Canada announced support via Special Contribution Agreements with two battery manufacturing firms:

• NextStar Energy (Stellantis/LGES) in Windsor, Ontario— currently producing battery modules
• PowerCo (Volkswagen) in St. Thomas, Ontario— construction phase to start in 2025

Changes to the AMPC have been enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, however, these changes do not impact benefits provided to battery manufacturers in the U.S.

Delays and challenges in Canada's automotive industry's transition to electrification

Question: How are delays and challenges in the automotive industry's transition to electric vehicles (EVs) impacting Canada's investments in the domestic electric vehicle (EV) battery value chain?

Key messages:

• Over the past few years, federal and provincial government collaboration with industry has attracted significant investments related to electric vehicle production and to establish a Canadian battery supply chain
• The government recognizes that any significant industrial transformation takes time, and that responsible risk-taking is part of supporting innovation in a competitive global economy
• While the implementation timeframe for specific projects may vary with market conditions, Canada's automotive industry remains well positioned for long-term success

Supplementary messages:

• Canada has everything it needs to lead in electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing: strength in automotive manufacturing, a talented workforce, green energy, and critical minerals
• While the announced investments by the industry will establish the foundation for long-term growth, the automotive sector is currently facing challenges due to several factors including a slower than anticipated growth in EV demand and the high cost and significant time needed in the transition to produce EVs
• Consistent with global trends, this has resulted in companies revisiting the timing and scope of their investments, including for some announced electric vehicle and battery projects in Canada
• Through measures like the Strategic Response Fund, Canada is helping automotive firms adapt to market changes, protect jobs, and stay competitive while advancing electrification
• The Government is reviewing the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard to ensure that the targets set in the regulations are both ambitious and attainable and that automotive manufacturers do not face undue financial burdens, while we continue to decarbonize transportation

Background:

The Canadian automotive sector supports over 125,000 direct jobs, contributed $16.8 billion in 2024 to Canada's gross domestic product, and is one of the country's largest export industries. The sector is anchored by the presence of five automotive manufacturers: Stellantis, Ford, General Motors (GM), Toyota, and Honda— that are supported by a diverse supply chain of nearly 700 automotive parts manufacturers across Canada. In 2024, Canada produced over 1.3 million vehicles, ranking 14th globally in terms of vehicle production.

In light of the global transition to electric transportation, the government stepped up: in recent years, Canada attracted key investments to produce EVs, as well as batteries and battery materials, through a series of measures, including the Strategic Innovation Fund (now Strategic Response Fund), Special Contribution Agreements (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – ISED), as well as manufacturing investment tax credits (Finance Canada) Some of these announced investments by the industry include:

• Honda, investing $15 billion to create Canada's first comprehensive electric vehicle supply chain in Ontario, including EV, battery, and battery material manufacturing
• NextStar Energy (Stellantis/LGES), investing $5 billion for an EV battery manufacturing plant in Windsor, Ontario
• PowerCo, investing $7 billion for a cell manufacturing plant in St. Thomas, Ontario
• GM/POSCO, investing $600 million to produce cathode active materials in Bécancour, Quebec

While these generational projects will establish the foundation for long-term growth, the automotive industry is facing challenges due to several factors including the significant cost and time needed to transition to EV production, compounded by a slowdown in the growth of global EV demand, which has resulted in companies revisiting their investments in EV and battery production. As is the case in other jurisdictions, timelines and manufacturing plans for some of the announced investments in Canada may be adjusted to ensure assembly plants are prepared for long-term success.

ISED remains in close communication with firms in which the government is investing, including regarding projected timelines for development, completion, and production.

Canada's auto sector: Impacts of U.S. tariffs

Question: What is the Government of Canada doing to support the Canadian automotive industry considering U.S. tariffs?

Key messages:

• The Government of Canada is committed to maintaining a strong Canadian automotive industry and the well-paying jobs that come with it
• Automotive trade between Canada and the U.S. is balanced and shows how strong and interconnected our economies are
• Canada recognizes the challenges that tariffs present to such an integrated industry and has adopted a proportionate response
• Since April 2025, the government announced a series of strategic measures to support businesses and workers in those sectors most impacted by U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions, including the automotive industry
• Canada continues to engage with the United States to address its automotive tariffs on Canada

Supplementary messages

• Canada responded to U.S. automotive tariffs with reciprocal tariffs of 25% on imports of passenger vehicles and certain trucks from the U.S. This measure mirrors the U.S. approach with respect to Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) rules of origin
• Because vehicles assembled in Canada contain a significant number of U.S. parts (approximately 50% U.S), the effective tariff rate on Canadian produced vehicles is approximately 12.5%
• Canada has implemented a measure that allows automakers in Canada to import a certain number of U.S.-assembled, CUSMA-compliant vehicles free of the counter-tariffs, provided that they continue to produce vehicles in Canada and complete planned investments
• Canada stands ready to work with the United States in a way that strengthens North American automotive production and preserves Canada's preferential tariff access

Background

The Canadian automotive sector supports over 125,000 direct jobs, contributed $16.8 billion in 2024 to Canada's gross domestic product, and is one of the country's largest export industries. The sector is anchored by the presence of five automotive manufacturers: Stellantis, Ford, General Motors (GM), Toyota, and Honda— that are supported by a diverse supply chain of nearly 700 automotive parts manufacturers across Canada. In 2024, Canada produced over 1.3 million vehicles, ranking 14th globally in terms of vehicle production.

In 2024, automotive trade with the U.S. totalled $152 billion ($75 billion in exports and $77 billion in imports).

On April 3, 2025, the U.S. implemented Section 232 tariffs of:

• 25% on all Canadian vehicles that do not meet the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) rules of origin
• 25% tariffs on the value of non-U.S. content for vehicles that qualify under CUSMA

On May 3, 2025, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25% on non-CUSMA-compliant auto parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

For Canada and Mexico, CUSMA-compliant auto parts are not subject to the 25% tariffs until the Department of Commerce (in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection) establishes a process to apply the tariffs exclusively to the value of non-U.S. content in these parts.

On April 29, 2025, President Trump issued a Proclamation to allow U.S. manufacturers to import automotive parts tariff-free up to 15% of the value of the U.S.-assembled vehicles. Given that the offset is phasing out, it signals that the intent of the U.S. administration is to incentivize companies to shift their parts sourcing to U.S. facilities.

Effective April 9, 2025, Canada responded with reciprocal tariffs of 25% against imports of passenger vehicles and certain trucks from the U.S. Canada's surtax order mirrors the U.S. approach with respect to CUSMA rules of origin.

On April 15, 2025, Canada announced a performance-based remission framework for automakers, designed to incentivize continued production and investment in Canada. The remission framework allows automakers that continue to manufacture vehicles in Canada and/or maintain their investments to import a certain number of U.S.-assembled, CUSMA-compliant vehicles into Canada, free of the countermeasure tariffs that Canada has imposed.

On October 23, 2025, Canada announced significant reductions to the import quotas of General Motors (GM) and Stellantis following their decisions to scale back their manufacturing presence in Canada, directly breaching their commitments to the country and Canadian workers.

On September 5, 2025, the government announced a new series of strategic measures for Canadian industries most impacted by U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions, including automotive. These initiatives will help Canadian businesses retool their production and diversify their products. These new measures include the following:

• A new Strategic Response Fund: The government will invest $5 billion through a new fund with flexible terms to help firms in all sectors impacted by tariffs adapt, diversify, and grow, with support provided to industries by new workforce alliances to align training and workforce needs
• A new Buy Canadian policy: The government will introduce a new policy to ensure that the federal government buys from Canadian suppliers, requiring local content when domestic suppliers are unavailable, extending this approach to all federal funding streams and Crown corporations, and provides a roadmap for provinces and municipalities to apply similar standards to their own procurement
• Immediate liquidity relief: The government will expand Business Development Bank of Canada loans for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to $5 million, provide more flexible financing through the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility, give the automotive sector flexibility by waiving 2026 model year vehicles from Electric Vehicle Availability Standard requirements, and by launching an immediate 60-day review of these regulations
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative: The government will expand support to SMEs to $1 billion over three years, with flexible terms, and increase new non-repayable contributions to eligible businesses impacted by tariffs across all affected sectors

On October 17, President Trump issued a Proclamation to apply a tariff on imports of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), medium- and heavy-duty vehicle parts (MHDVPs) and buses into the U.S. As of November 1st, imports of MHDVs will be subject to a tariff of 25% on non-U.S. content and 25% on non-CUSMA-compliant MHDVPs. Imports of buses will be subject to a tariff of 10%.

Related news releases

Canada takes decisive action to protect auto industry and workers

From: Department of Finance Canada

News release

October 23, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

The Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to protect Canada's auto industry and workers. Today, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, and the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, jointly announced significant reductions to the import quotas of General Motors (GM) and Stellantis.

This action follows the automakers' unacceptable decisions to scale back their manufacturing presence in Canada, directly breaching their commitments to the country and Canadian workers.

On April 15, 2025, the Government implemented an auto remission framework allowing Canada's automakers to import a set quantity of vehicles from the U.S. counter-tariff free, provided that specified production levels are maintained. For automakers that have reduced or paused manufacturing in Canada as a result of facility retooling, remission has also been provided on the condition that production at those facilities resumes.

GM's decision to reduce their production in Oshawa and in Ingersoll facilities, and Stellantis' decision to cancel its production plans for the Brampton assembly plant goes against their commitments to Canada and Canadian workers. For these reasons, the government is reducing General Motors' annual remission quota by 24.2 per cent and is reducing Stellantis' annual remission quota by 50 per cent.

This decision aligns with the government's long-standing position: we expect these companies to meet their contractual obligations and respect their commitments towards Canada and their workers.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to maintaining a strong Canadian automotive industry and the well-paying jobs that come with it. We are deeply disappointed with the production changes recently announced by General Motors and Stellantis. These unacceptable decisions are in contravention of their legal obligations to Canada and the Canadians workers, which is why we are reducing their import remission quotas. Our government stands firmly with its auto industry and its workers and will not hesitate to take strong action to protect it and ensure that support goes only to those who invest in Canada's future."

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

"Our government will never waver in our commitment to our auto industry and its workers across this country. Today's amendments to Canada's remissions framework are in direct response following production changes recently announced by Stellantis and General Motors. We will always defend and protect Canada's auto industry and its workers; they deserve nothing less."

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Quick facts

• An April 15, 2025, the government implemented an auto tariff remission framework to maintain Canada's auto manufacturing footprint and protect Canadian workers.
• This framework allows Canada's automakers to import a set quantity of vehicles from the United States counter-tariff free, provided that specified production levels are maintained, and companies follow through on their planned investments in Canada.
• Every quarter, production levels are assessed against forecasted production established prior to the implementation of tariffs and the government determines whether quota volumes should be amended. Companies must also follow through on promised investments to continue to be eligible for remission.
• For decades, Canada's auto sector has been creating good, middle-class jobs and driving economic growth.
• Canada's auto industry supports approximately 125,000 direct jobs, 80 per cent of which are located in Ontario, and comprises approximately 8 per cent of the manufacturing GDP and 0.7 per cent of the overall GDP.
• In 2024, Canada produced about 1.3 million light-duty vehicles, of which about 1.1 million vehicles were exported to the U.S.

Government of Canada welcomes largest investment in Canada's auto industry with the first large-scale domestic EV battery manufacturing facility

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

News release

A major milestone that will create thousands of Canadian jobs for the net-zero emission economy of the future

March 23, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario

The future of Canada's transportation sector is green. So, to create middle-class jobs and position our economy for success in a low-carbon world, the government is bringing major international investments to Canada that will secure a strong electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor, announced that their governments are welcoming a major investment from LG Energy Solution, one of the leading battery manufacturing companies in the world, and automaker Stellantis N.V. to create a joint venture in Canada. The joint venture will see a total investment of over $5 billion CAD ($4.1 billion USD) in a facility to manufacture batteries for EVs in Canada. This will position Canada as a global leader in the EV manufacturing supply chain. The battery facility will be located in Windsor, Ontario, and will supply Stellantis plants in Windsor and across North America. The facility will be operational by 2025.

The Government of Canada has been working closely with both companies to secure this investment given that the project aligns with the government's commitment to develop a Canadian battery ecosystem that supports clean technology and industrial transformation. Today's announcement is yet another step forward. The project is expected to create 2,500 well-paying jobs.

This investment will not only position Canada as a global leader in the production of EV batteries but also support the development of a sustainable domestic battery manufacturing sector in Canada.

Quotes

"Today's announcement of a world-leading facility to build electric vehicle batteries in Windsor is an investment in our workers, our communities and our future. Partnerships like these are critical to creating new jobs and putting Canada on the cutting edge of the clean economy. By working together, we are creating thousands of new jobs, making a difference in the lives of people now and making sure that future generations have a clean environment to live in."

- The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"Today's announcement is great news for Canadian jobs and the future of Canada's economy. We are seeing the largest investment in Canada's auto sector, and it is clear that companies recognize Canada's strong position as a global leader for EV battery manufacturing. We will continue to work hard to attract other companies and encourage them to set up shop in Canada to help create jobs, generate economic benefits and contribute to a net-zero emission future."

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"This announcement is a great step forward for Canada's green and electric future. It shows that we are leading the way to building a robust North American EV battery supply chain, starting right here at home. Not only does this prepare us for a low-carbon future, but it will also create jobs, will generate impactful economic growth, and is a sustainable long-term investment in our communities."

- The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

"Canada has the opportunity to drive the clean energy future by building up our critical mineral supply chains—from production to processing, and the manufacturing of clean technologies. Today's announcement will help ensure that we continue to lead the global fight against climate change and will put more Canadians in the driver's seat on the road to a net-zero future."

- The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources

"Through our Driving Prosperity auto plan, strategic investments across our integrated supply chains, and by reducing the cost of doing business in Ontario by nearly $7 billion annually, our government is staking Ontario's claim as a leader in the emerging North American EV battery industry. By harnessing advanced manufacturing processes and emerging technologies, and leveraging the critical mineral wealth in Northern Ontario, our province has what it takes to develop and build the car of the future, and the batteries those cars need."

- The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

"Attracting this multi-billion-dollar investment will secure Ontario's place as a North American hub for building the cars and batteries of the future. As we secure game-changing investments, we're also connecting resources, industries and workers in northern Ontario with the manufacturing might of southern Ontario to build up home-grown supply chains. Every region of Ontario will benefit with thousands of jobs being created and a stronger economy that works for everyone."

- The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

"Stellantis is Windsor's largest employer and has a rich history in this community. Chrysler began operations in this community in 1928 and has employed generations of Windsor–Essex workers at its facility. With this announcement, we are securing the future for thousands more local workers and securing Windsor's strategic location as the home of Canada's electric vehicle future. As the world pivots to EVs, Windsor will soon be home to the battery manufacturing facility that powers it all."

- His Worship Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor

"This announcement demonstrates that Canada can attract global investment in the dynamic, growing EV industry as a result of its unique value proposition for this sector. Invest in Canada worked closely with LGES from the outset of its decision-making process, and all levels of government came together to seize the opportunity—one that will help to create a truly end-to-end battery EV supply chain in Canada."

- Katie Curran, Interim CEO, Invest in Canada

"LG Energy Solution, together with Canada and Stellantis, aspires to become the world's leading battery manufacturer by powering EVs in North America. LGES will position itself as a critical player in setting up a battery value chain in the region as we provide solutions to our potential customers through our collective, unique technical skills and mass-producing capabilities. Creating a joint battery manufacturing plant in Canada, one of the leading nations in renewable energy resources, is all the more critical for LG Energy Solution as we aim to power more EVs around the world."

- Youngsoo Kwon, CEO of LG Energy Solution

"Our joint venture with LG Energy Solution is yet another stepping stone to achieving our aggressive electrification roadmap in the region aimed at hitting 50% of battery electric vehicle sales in the U.S. and Canada by the end of the decade. We are grateful to the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government for their support and commitment to help position Canada as a North American leader in the production of electric vehicle batteries."

- Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis

Quick facts

LG Energy Solution is a leading global battery manufacturer delivering advanced lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicle, mobility and IT applications and for energy storage systems (ESS). With 30 years of experience in advanced battery technology, LGES is committed to developing innovative technologies that will bring the future of energy a step closer. LG Energy Solution's robust global network spans across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, with a 23% share of the global EV battery market.

Stellantis is a leading global automaker and mobility provider that offers clean, connected, affordable and safe mobility solutions. Its ambitious electrification and software strategies and the creation of an innovative ecosystem of strategic, game-changing partnerships are driving its transformation into a sustainable mobility tech company.

In February 2021, Windsor City Council adopted an economic development strategy called Windsor Works: An economic development strategy for the city's future growth. This plan focused municipal economic development efforts on talent retention, partnerships with academic institutions and the future of the automotive sector—and electric vehicle components in particular. The implementation of Windsor Works is helping make investments like the one by LGES and Stellantis possible through a new department at City Hall focused on attracting investment and creating good jobs in Windsor.

Details of this agreement are subject to commercial confidentiality and cannot be disclosed at this time. More details will follow once due diligence is completed.

Plant construction activities are scheduled to begin later this year, with production operations planned to launch in the first quarter of 2024. The facility will be operational by 2025.

This investment aligns with the Government of Canada's strengthened climate plan—A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy.

The Government of Canada has set a target of achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales by 2035. Accelerating the ZEV target will support Canada's commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and its pledge at the United Nations 2019 Climate Action Summit.

Investing in Canada's auto sector, its workers, and our clean future

May 2, 2022 – Windsor, Ontario

For decades, Canada's auto sector has been creating good, middle-class jobs and driving economic growth. Today, as we continue to recover from the pandemic and accelerate our work to build a clean future, the auto sector plays a key role in supporting workers and helping us achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. By making smart investments, the Government of Canada is delivering clean air, good jobs, and a strong economy for generations of Canadians.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was joined today by the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, to announce a new federal investment in project funding for automaker Stellantis that will secure thousands of jobs and modernize assembly plants for the clean tech economy. This multi-billion-dollar project from Stellantis will support plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, implementing flexible vehicle platforms at both plants and increasing its production of electric vehicles (EV). The Government of Canada is investing up to $529 million into this project. The Province of Ontario is also supporting the project with an investment of up to $513 million.

Following another major manufacturing deal by Stellantis in March, this new investment is yet another strong vote of confidence in Canada's automotive sector and future as a global clean tech leader. This project includes EV production at its assembly plants and new research and development investments at its Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor.

Today's announcement demonstrates Canada's continued strength in automotive production and is another step toward building a strong, healthy future for Canadians. This follows the release of the Government of Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and Budget 2022, which propose measures to create thousands of new, good-paying jobs and grow the economy, all while fighting climate change.

Quotes

"Today's deal on made-in-Canada electric vehicles is yet another investment in our workers and in our future. We're building a world-class Canadian auto industry for generations to come, an innovative economy, and a clean, strong future for everyone. This is what a healthy environment and a healthy economy looks like."

- The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"Today is yet another example that our plan to build Ontario is delivering huge wins for workers and communities all over this province. Ontario has everything it needs to be North America's auto manufacturing powerhouse once again. We are getting it done and ensuring that the cars of the future are made in Ontario-by-Ontario workers."

- The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

"Today is a big win for Canadian workers, the future of Canada's auto sector, and the entire Canadian economy. With this historic investment for Stellantis to build thousands of electric vehicles every year, we are securing thousands of well-paying jobs in Windsor and Brampton. With a century of excellence by Canadian auto workers, today is one more step in our efforts to build a sustainable economy of the future that is part of Canada's path to net-zero."

- The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Canada has the opportunity to drive the clean energy future by building up our manufacturing of clean technologies like ZEVs. Today's announcement will help ensure that we continue to lead the global fight against climate change and will put more Canadians in the driver's seat on the road to a net-zero future."

- The Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources

"These investments re-affirm our long-term commitment to Canada and represent an important step as we move toward zero-emission vehicles that deliver on our customers' desire for innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility. We're grateful to both the federal and provincial governments for their shared vision to create a sustainable future. And to Unifor and our workforce for their support in helping ensure the viability of our Canadian operations for the long term."

- Mark Stewart, Chief Operating Officer, Stellantis North America

Quick Facts

Stellantis' investment will support the creation of a state-of-the-art Battery Pack Testing Facility for North America at the Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor, which will further secure Canada's position as a leader in EV innovation. Activities at the ARDC are already underway, with an addition to the existing building to be complete by the end of 2023.

The Government of Canada recently released the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada's Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy, an ambitious and achievable sector-by-sector approach for Canada to reach its new climate target of cutting emissions by at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and to put us on track toward our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Government of Canada is putting in place a sales mandate that will ensure that 100 per cent of new light-duty vehicle sales are zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Accelerating the ZEV target will support Canada's commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and its pledge at the United Nations 2019 Climate Action Summit.

Budget 2022 proposes an investment of $1.7 billion to extend the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program until March 2025 and broadening eligibility under the program to include more vehicle models.

In support of the government's objective of adding 50,000 ZEV chargers to Canada's network, Budget 2022 provides an additional $400 million to Natural Resources Canada for deploying zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, complemented by $500 million that Canada's Infrastructure Bank will invest in large-scale ZEV charging and refueling infrastructure that is revenue generating and in the public interest.

The auto sector in Canada supports nearly 500,000 workers in Canada, contributes $16 billion annually to Canada's gross domestic product, and is one of the country's largest export industries.

The auto industry around the world is in a period of rapid transformation to electrification. The Government of Canada is providing support to facilitate this transition here at home. Canada competes globally and in North America for these investments and this support ensures that the country's auto sector remains competitive and is secured for the future.

Stellantis is a leading global automaker and mobility provider that offers clean, connected, affordable and safe mobility solutions. Its ambitious electrification and software strategies and the creation of an innovative ecosystem of strategic, game-changing partnerships are driving its transformation into a sustainable mobility tech company.

Publicly-released letter from Minister Joly to Stellantis

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

October 15, 2025

Antonio Filosa
Chief Executive Officer
Stellantis
1000 Chrysler Drive
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dear Antonio Filosa:

I am writing following calls yesterday with the Government of Canada and Stellantis to express my extreme concern with Stellantis' investment plans in Canada and to demand that the company respect its obligations flowing from billions of dollars of financial support extended to you over decades.

While the current U.S. tariff environment is creating complex challenges, Stellantis has made important commitments to Canada and to its workforce. Canadians expect that Stellantis will respect and honour these commitments. Anything short of this is unacceptable. Should Stellantis choose not to respect its obligations, we will act in the interests of all Canadians and hold the company to full account, and exercise all options, including legal.

Over decades, Stellantis and the Government of Canada have built a strong and enduring partnership. We were there for the company in 2009 to pull it back from the brink of bankruptcy, and now we expect you to be there for Canadians.

We have worked diligently for the long-term viability of Stellantis' Canadian operations, with millions of vehicles having been produced at Brampton and Windsor. Your new joint venture with LG Energy Solutions represents an important investment in the future of electrification. Our work together served to anchor your investments in Canada, a market where you continue to sell over 150,000 vehicles annually, and to deliver meaningful economic benefits to workers and communities alike.

The business decision to move the mandate of the Jeep Compass is unacceptable. It jeopardizes the future of Brampton and its unionized workforce. It is critical that you quickly identify new mandates for Brampton that ensure the facility remains central to your manufacturing footprint, and that contracts with Canadian suppliers be honoured.

It is imperative that you extend the worker's transition program, agreed to with Unifor, until at least 2027.

Stellantis agreed with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to maintain its full Canadian footprint, including Brampton, in exchange for substantial financial support. Anything short of fulfilling that commitment will be considered as default under our agreements.

In particular, the legally binding commitments that Stellantis made by accepting support through both the Strategic Innovation Fund and through the Special Contribution Agreement with NextStar Energy must be respected.

We are ready and at the table to work with you, all levels of government and union leaders to ensure a positive future for our workers, and all those in the supply chain for parts and other accessories.

We value our strategic partnership and believe that fulfilling these commitments is essential to demonstrating Stellantis' continued dedication to Canada.

We expect to see a plan to ensure the long-term success of Stellantis, Ontario, and all of Canada.

Yours sincerely,

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P.

c.c.:

Jeff Hines, President, Canada, Stellantis North America

The Honourable Vic Fedeli, M.P.P., Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Government of Ontario

His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

Lana Payne, National President, Unifor

ISED response to the October 20 OGGO motion: Letter dated November 3

Marc-Olivier Girard
Clerk of the Committee
Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates
131 Queen Street, Sixth Floor
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

November 3, 2025

Oggo@parl.gc.ca

Dear Marc-Olivier Girard:

On behalf of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), I would like to acknowledge the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates' motion of October 20, 2025, whereby the Committee ordered the production, by November 3, 2025, of a copy of any contract, memorandum of understanding, or any other agreement entered into by any minister, department, agency or Crown corporation of the Government of Canada, since November 4, 2015, related to the manufacture of automobiles at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, with any of Stellantis N.V., Stellantis North America, FCA US LLC, Stellantis Canada Inc., FCA Canada Inc., Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., NextStar Energy Inc., Volta Energy Solutions Canada Inc., any of those companies' subsidiaries, or any other companies which are not at arm's length from those companies.

ISED will comply with the order and in compliance with its legal obligations. The Department has effectively managed its contractual relationship with the companies noted in the order and endeavours to operate in a way that protects Canadian jobs and promotes economic growth in Canada. ISED takes the Committee's requests seriously and proposes adopting the approach to the disclosure of information described below.

The contracts, agreements, and memorandums of understanding covered by the order all include confidentiality obligations on both ISED and the third party, a practice that is standard in most federal government departments' and agencies' contracts which involve the receipt of personal, sensitive, or commercial business information.

We are obligated by contract to consult with these third parties prior to any release of the terms of the respective contract, including their confidential business information, and, in limited circumstances, to make redactions to protect their legitimate business interests. To do otherwise would not only violate our legal obligations to these third parties and open the Crown up to potential litigation, but it would also potentially irreparably harm to Canada's reputation as an honest and trustworthy actor in its dealings with third parties. Our ability to enter into contractual relationships depends upon our ability to provide assurances that confidential third‑party information will be treated appropriately. The future ability of the Department to pursue the policy interests of any elected government would be impaired if it could not provide such assurances.

To reconcile the competing imperatives, and in light of concerns about confidential business information and damage to Canada's national interest from violating legally binding commitments related to non‑disclosure, ISED responded to previous motions by consulting with the third parties to share the legal text of the agreements in a closed‑door, in‑camera format. The documents were available in hard copy for inspection in advance and officials were on hand to answer Committee members' questions about the materials. In that vein, to be clear, we are in active discussions with Stellantis to secure their agreement to release documentation, and will comply with the October 20 motion by providing to the Committee the requested documents by no later than Thursday, November 6, 2025.

I would like to assure Committee members that the October 20 motion is a top priority for us.

Please accept my best wishes.

Sincerely,

Philip Jennings
Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science
and Economic Development

ISED response to the October 20 OGGO motion: Letter dated November 5

Marc-Olivier Girard
Clerk of the Committee
Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates
131 Queen Street, Sixth Floor
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

November 5, 2025

Oggo@parl.gc.ca

Dear Marc-Olivier Girard:

Please find attached Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's (ISED) response to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates' motion of October 20, 2025, whereby the Committee ordered the production of a copy of any contract, memorandum of understanding, or any other agreement entered into by any minister, department, agency or Crown corporation of the Government of Canada, since November 4, 2015, related to the manufacture of automobiles at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, with any of Stellantis N.V., Stellantis North America, FCA US LLC, Stellantis Canada Inc., FCA Canada Inc., Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., NextStar Energy Inc., Volta Energy Solutions Canada Inc., any of those companies' subsidiaries, or any other companies which are not at arm's length from those companies. ISED has reviewed our records and is in possession of one contribution agreement with FCA Canada Inc. that relates to the manufacture of automobiles at the Brampton Assembly Plant.

Please be assured that ISED continually aims for maximum transparency. As noted in my letter of November 3, 2025, ISED is obligated by contract to seek the consent of the contractual parties prior to any release of their confidential business information and to make redactions to protect their legitimate business interests. ISED has consulted with Stellantis Canada regarding the release of the Strategic Innovation Fund Contribution Agreement and related amendments and has obtained the company's conditional consent for the release of the documents with minimal redaction.

The consent was provided on the understanding that the material would be treated as commercially confidential and would be discussed in‑camera as per the October 20 motion. In addition, in order to ensure the protection of confidentiality and in line with precedents established by previous committees, the company's consent is on the basis that the following protections related to viewing the documents will be put in place:

1. that it will occur under the supervision of the committee's clerk;
2. no personal mobile, electronic, or recording devices will be allowed in the room; and
3. no notes will be taken out of the room.

It is further understood and agreed that Stellantis' consent to the disclosure described in the preceding paragraph does not waive any of Stellantis' other rights under the Agreement, including without limitation its right to refuse to consent to other disclosures of the Agreement, or any other rights that Stellantis has with the Minister of Industry or the Government of Canada, and that all of Stellantis's rights have been expressly reserved.

This model described above was used successfully in the 44th Parliament by the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology and the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development in their consideration of agreements with NextStar Energy, a Stellantis joint partnership, and other partners under the Net Zero Accelerator program. The framework noted would enable ISED to reconcile our strongly shared commitment to transparency with our legal obligations and help maintain Canada's reputation as a trustworthy business partner.

As indicated in my letter of November 3, 2025, preserving the trust of third parties and ensuring that their confidential information is protected is paramount for any government for entering into contractual relationships with businesses. In the case of the Strategic Response Fund, doing otherwise would undermine investment attraction and, in turn, jeopardize job creation and economic growth in Canada.

Please rest assured, that the redactions in the agreements have been limited to those that are the most commercially confidential and, if released, could undermine the company's competitive position. Provisions that are being released that are of interest to Committee members include elements related to the contribution amount, terms of the agreement; project location; benefits commitments, particularly related to jobs; facilities closures; and supply chain. Other provisions that are being released include the general default and remedies section, including the recapture process.

The main sections being redacted are the business sensitive Statement of Work, project plans and activities and sub‑activities necessary to implement the project; specific remedies in case of default; and details related to the breakdown of the overall contribution per project location. Minimal redactions in other parts of the agreement relate to project activities and associated costs, as well as an intellectual property provision unique to the project.

We would also be pleased to make officials available to support review of the documents, should this be of interest to the Committee.

I hope the Committee finds the above information helpful and our proposal satisfactory.

Please accept my best wishes.

Sincerely,

Philip Jennings
Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science
and Economic Development

Scenario note for Deputy Jennings' Appearance before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates

Details of the Appearance

On October 20, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates adopted a motion ordering the production of all contracts between the federal government and Stellantis (and subsidiaries) at the Brampton Assembly Plant in an unredacted and electronic format (exact motion below).

After conducting third party consultations, ISED provided a lightly redacted version of the contribution agreement to the Committee Clerk on November 6. Hard copy packages were provided in both official languages. In the cover letter included with the packages, the Deputy Minister suggests that the committee adopt the model used in previous parliaments, where consideration of the agreements be viewed under strict parameters, and that officials be invited to appear at committee to discuss the documents, in an in-camera format.

Following the submission of documents, over two meetings (November 6 and November 18) the committee discussed ISED's response to the motion. Parliamentary Law Clerk, Michel Bédard, briefed Committee Members on the rights of committees and Parliament regarding the power to call for the production of papers. After some heated discussion between MPs on November 6, and some additional follow-up questions on November 18, the committee agreed to invite ISED and Stellantis representatives to appear before the committee to explain the redactions and the reasons for making them.

Appearance Logistics

Stellantis is being represented by Teresa Pizurra, Stellantis Canada's Director of External Affairs. She will be appearing virtually.

Witnesses are given five minutes for opening remarks. Following Opening Remarks, questions are asked by MPs in rotating blocks by party. The order of the questioning rounds is as follows:

• First round: 6 minutes to the CPC, LPC, and BQ, in that order.
• Second (and subsequent rounds): 5 min to the CPC, and LPC, 2.5 min to the BQ, and then 5 min to the CPC and the LPC.

Notably, OGGO is an opposition-chaired committee, meaning the governing party has less control over the agenda compared to other Standing Committees. This may lead to a more contentious atmosphere.

The meeting is expected to take place in public. Following confirmation of the Deputy Minister's appearance, it was indicated to the committee clerk that any detailed questions regarding the documents would only be able to be answered in camera. Should questions be received that cannot be answered in public, the response should indicate that a full response to the question can only be made if the committee were to move in camera. Any member of the committee may move a motion for the meeting to be moved in camera. During in camera appearances, questions may be less confrontational, given that proceedings are not recorded and what is discussed cannot be quoted publicly.

Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO)

Mandate of the committee

The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates focuses on the estimates process as well as on the effectiveness and proper functioning of government operations.

Under Standing Order 108(3)(c), the Committee's mandate includes the study of:

• the format and content of all estimates documents
• the effectiveness, management, and expenditure plans of:
• central departments and agencies
  • new information and communication technologies adopted by the government
  • cross-departmental mandates, including programs delivered by more than one department or agency
  • Crown corporations and agencies that have not been specifically referred to another standing committee
  • statutory programs, tax expenditures, loan guarantees, contingency funds and private foundations deriving the majority of their funding from the Government of Canada

Committee operating procedures

Witness' opening statements: 5 minutes

Questions round 1

1. Conservative: 6 minutes
2. Liberal: 6 minutes
3. Bloc Québécois: 6 minutes

Questions round 2 (and subsequent rounds)

1. Conservative: 5 minutes
2. Liberal: 5 minutes
3. Bloc Québécois: 2.5 minutes
4. Conservative: 5 minutes
5. Liberal: 5 minutes

Anticipated TBS-related activity – 45th Parliament

• Main Estimates & Supplementary Estimates
• ArriveCAN*
• Indigenous Procurement*
• Purchase of the Official Residence of the Consul General in New York*

*Considerations underway to potentially re-establish these studies

Bio of the members of the committee

Chair: Kelly McCauley (Edmonton West, AB)

Conservative

• Elected as the Member of Parliament in 2015 for Edmonton West, re-elected in 2019, 2021 and 2025
• Former Conservative Shadow Minister for Treasury Board
• Previously served on several committees, including the Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Before his election in 2015, Mr. McCauley was a hospitality executive specialized in managing hotels and convention centres
• He has a graduate of BCIT in the Hospitality Management program
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • the overreliance on subcontracting, the eligibility of government contractors, and the recovery of funds
  • transparency around auditing of government grants and contracts
  • reforms to the PSDPA to protect whistleblowers
  • the state of the ATIP system
  • the late tabling of the Public Accounts

Vice-Chair: Iqra Khalid (Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON)

Liberal

• Elected as MP for Missisauga – Erin Mills in 2015, and re-elected in 2019, 2021 & 2025
• Has served on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and as previous Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics
• Before her election in 2015, she worked as a legal professional
• Has a degree in criminology and professional writing and has a Juris Doctor degree at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • Government contracts and ensuring conflict of interest rules are followed
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion in the public service
  • Access to information and Canadians' faith in the ATIP system

Vice-Chair: Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Laurentides—Labelle, QC)

Bloc Québécois

• Elected as the Member of Parliament in 2019 for Laurentides—Labelle, re-elected in 2021 and 2025
• Bloc québécois Critic for Estimates & Government Operations
• Also serves on the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs
• Previously served as Viche-Chair of ETHI, as well as Member of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and substitute for both OGGO and Public Accounts
• Prior to her election, she was a businesswoman, a consultant in HR and organizational development, and worked as a political staff for former Bloc MP, Johanne Deschamps
• She has a bachelor's degree in communications and human relations from Université du Québec à Montréal
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • Overreliance on professional service contracts by the Government
  • Official Languages in the public service
  • Transparency and accountability

Kelly Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK)

Conservative

• Elected as the MP for Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek in 2008
• Shadow Minister for Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement
• Previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Panel of Chairs during the 41st Parliament
• Previously sat on many committees, including Public Accounts
• Prior to her election, Ms. Block served 2 terms as mayor of Waldheim, SK
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • Current practices in government procurement and contracting, including the amount spent and transparency around contracting outside professional services (notably GC Strategies for ArriveCAN, and McKinsey for professional consulting services)
  • accountability and transparency in TBS' operations
  • the perceived lack of oversight across departments and a lack of enforcement of the Financial Administration Act

Jeremy Patzer (Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK)

Conservative

• Elected as the Member of Parliament in 2019 Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, re-elected in 2021 and 2025
• Previously served on many committees, including Public Accounts
• Prior to his election, Mr. Patzer worked in the telecommunications industry and in the farming industry
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • Criticism over government spending
  • Scrutiny of the Public Accounts
  • Outsourcing of Contracts by the Government

Tamara Jansen (Cloverdale—Langley City, BC)

Conservative

• Elected as the Member of Parliament in 2019 for Cloverdale—Langley City, re-elected in 2024 (by-election) and 2025
• Previously served on many committees, including Finance and Health
• In 2019, she served as the deputy shadow minister of Labour for the Conservatives
• Prior to her election, she owned and operated Darvonda Nurseries, a large plant nursery in British Columbia
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • Oversight of government spending
  • TBD

Vince Gasparro (Eglinton—Lawrence, ON)

Liberal

• Elected as the Member of Parliament for the first time in 2025 for Eglinton—Lawrence
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)
• Previously served on many committees, including Public Accounts
• Prior to his election, he worked in private equity, working in acquisitions for Lynx Equity Limited from 2006 to 2018. He also worked as an executive for several entities, including Scotiabank's Roynat Capital and Vancity
• He also worked s a special assistant in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada for Paul Martin and as principal secretary in the Office of the Mayor of Toronto for John Tory
• He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from York University, an MBA from the Villanova School of Business and a master's degree Political Economy from the London School of Economics
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • TBD

Jenna Sudds (Kanata, ON)

Liberal

• Elected as the Member of Parliament in 2021for Kanata, re-elected in 2025
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and to the Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)
• Previously served as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development from 2023 to 2025, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Woman and Gender Equality and Youth from 2021 to 2023
• Prior to her election, she served as Deputy Mayor of Ottawa and member of the Ottawa City Council. She previously worked as a federal government economist for twelve years before becoming the first President of the Kanata North Business Association and later the inaugural executive director of the CIO Strategy Council
• Has a master's degree in economics from Carleton University
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • Federal procurement process
  • Digital transformation and service delivery

Pauline Rochefort (Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON)

Liberal

• Elected as the Member of Parliament for the first time in 2025 for Nipissing—Timiskaming
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Rural Development)
• Prior to her election, she served as Deputy Mayor of East Ferris from 2014 to 2018 and Mayor from 2018 to 2025
• She also worked at the Business Development Bank of Canada and as President of the Canadian Wood Council prior to joining municipal politics.
• She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Laurentian University and an MBA from the University of Ottawa
• Interest in the TBS portfolio:
  • TBD