Liberal MPs have blocked parliamentary hearings aimed at clarifying what the Carney government promised U.S. President Donald Trump to get the Gordie Howe International Bridge opened.
The move to shut down hearings came as one Liberal MP admitted she had been confused by her own government’s position.
The House committee on government operations and estimates met Wednesday at the request of the Conservatives to decide whether to hold hearings on a revenue-sharing agreement with the U.S. that convinced Washington to open the bridge this week.
The proposed agreement in principle says Canada will share half of net toll revenues with the U.S. for the next 15 years. That seems to delay a 2012 agreement that would see Canada recover its costs from financing the construction of the bridge before sharing revenues.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said on previous occasions that the tolls would not be split with the United States until after Canada’s construction debt is paid off.
Speaking to reporters in Charlottetown last week, Carney admitted he could have been more clear in his comments.
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“Could I have explained it better on a Sunday morning at Stampede? Yeah. With a cowboy hat on? Yes, I could have explained it better,” Carney said at the time.
Liberal MP Pauline Rochefort told the committee Wednesday that she was initially confused by what her government was saying.
“When I first learned of the 2026 agreement in principle, I will admit that I was confused, and I can therefore appreciate why there has been misunderstanding,” she said. “The confusion disappeared completely once I recognized that there were two separate agreements that worked together.”
Tory MP Harb Gill said the bridge deal appears to be a concession to the U.S.
“This government’s negotiating posture reminds me of a cheap lawn chair. (It) looks dirty sitting there, then somebody puts a little pressure on it, and it falls immediately. There goes another leg, and somehow the press release the following day says the chair is stronger than ever,” he said.
Conservatives advanced a motion at committee to call in three federal ministers for hours of questioning and direct the parliamentary budget officer to analyze costs and revenues associated with the bridge.
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The majority Liberals voted against those hearings, arguing the motion did not speak to the benefits of the deal. They did not propose amendments to the motion.
MPs from both parties spoke at length during Wednesday’s proceedings. One compared the situation to a pigeon trying to evade a cat and another explained at length the roots of the word “pontificate.”
Multiple MPs made comments about whether wearing a cowboy hat prevents the wearer from speaking truthfully.
Committee chair Kelly McCauley repeatedly asked MPs to stick to discussing the motion at hand. NDP MP Heather McPherson accused the government of filibustering in order to avoid a vote.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre showed up briefly during a recess, saying he was there to support the team. He left through a side door without taking questions from reporters.
At a news conference Wednesday in Red Deer, Alta., Carney argued Canada had paid a small sum compared to the economic benefit the bridge offers.
“That’s being pragmatic and moving forward. And we’ve got a bridge that’s open, we’ve got opportunities open,” he said.
Great news. Just a distraction from the ongoing threat from the United States.
Anyone who thinks Carney is a poor negotiator is, frankly, an imbecile. You don’t get appointed to run two national banking systems and one of the largest asset management firms on the planet without those skills, and many many others. It is hilarious listening to the usual dullards and dimwits brag out how they would have done a better job, because they think Carney is somehow out of his depth. He is not. He just understands the realities of the situation in a way they they never will, because they lack the intelligence, education and experience. It is fine for people to dislike his politics, but I wish they would spare us from their nonsensical drivel denigrating the man’s capabilities. Carney has proven himself over and over, on some of the most high pressure stages on the planet. I hope his trolls post their own credentials every time they blather on about how bad he is and how much better they could do.
Carney couldn’t negotiate a tight bend on the highway . He’s totally inept as prime minister traveling the world at the taxpayers expense making mou statements with countries that violate basic human rights and no one else wants to trade with.
It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.
” Mark Twain ”
Just about sums up Liberal voter’s
The Liberals always duck the issue. Why not simply boil the agreements down, and make it clear. Never mind trying to distract us with how much the US will gain from the bridge, is the debt going to be paid first, or only after 15 years. Seems like a simple answer to give.
to ben.. you are named right, you are ben dover with your elbows up
Carney is hiding something. More shameful behaviour by him.
Ben….Your comment is irrelevant to this thread.
Useless sacks of turd liberals, can’t wait till they are rotting underground
Carney got caught trying to mislead Canadians as his actions capitulating to Trump do t match his “Elbows Up” rhetoric to his base.
Once again, the Liberal Party of Canada prevents the Parliamentary Committee from doing their job, thus shielding them from any accountability. This is your fabricated majority government at work. Working for themselves, at the expense of Canadians
Feels like we’re getting probed again.
Carney is the best option to deal with Trump. Other countries have made deals and are in a worse position than Canada in terms of tariffs.
Good luck! They will redact everything then shut down the inquiry. Thats the LPC way.
Funny how that Trudeau who with no formal education could negotiate a deal with Trump but Carney who is a banker and our savior cannot. I seem to recall that the left stated as so did he himself was the best option to deal with him. I can see Carney on his next campaign trail singing “How do you like me now”
Carney originally tried to misinform Canadians. Then the USA sent out the text of the agreement and Carney was forced to retreat admit his evasive position. Not a leader.
Those floor crossers really ought to cross back.
The Fauci diary isn’t getting any media coverage in Canada.
If you bring it up with your average low information/intelligence Lib, he/she/they/them will say. “I didn’t see it on the news” and dismiss you as a tinfoil hatted right wing conspiracy theorist.
The House of Commons Gordie Howe International Bridge committee’s first order of business after the administrative details are ironed out, will be the LPC majority voting to shut it down.
More useless inquiries when Carney graciously answered all questions. This was despite the fact he is busy saving Canada from becoming the 51st state. Have the conservatives nothing better to do?
Reminds me when the Liberals did everything they could to block the investigation regarding Trudeau’s cronyism with WE Charity.
What else is Carney hiding. He obviously does value honesty and transparency.
Carney capitulated to Trump and gave more than the original deal that was cast. USA got more and Canada got less. Great negotiating Elbows Up Carney
The liberals blocked the actual RCMP from investigations. This will go absolutely nowhere. It will be probing questions answered with servings of word salad.
All it will do it cost taxpayers more money to find that the government did nothing wrong again.
Carney keeps insisting he’s not Trudeau but he keeps behaving like a Trudeau clone
Where is the coverage of Fauci’s recently released diary, which proves he lied about covid?
Nothing to see here another day another Liberal scandal I will say Carney hides things much better than Trudeau ever did.
The Carney government, in a gesture of openness and transparency, released the agreement. The only thing this committee does is to undermine our trade negotiations thanks to the Poilievre conservatives.
It will go nowhere
The LPC will block any investigation like they always do