Liberals “Buy Canadian” in Name Only
Ottawa, ON – Today, Leslyn Lewis, Conservative Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, and Kelly Block, Conservative Shadow Minister for Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, are raising serious concerns after new disclosures confirm that billions in Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) funding have flowed to projects heavily reliant on foreign companies and the Liberals are failing to support Canadian workers despite their repeated promises of a “Buy Canadian” approach.
“Infrastructure spending should be aligned to protect and support good-paying jobs here at home, especially at a time when Canadian workers are facing American tariffs and economic pressure,” said Lewis. “Canadians were promised that their tax dollars would support domestic jobs and industry. Instead, this government is sending those opportunities overseas to places like China.”
In response to Conservative questions, the government admitted that dozens of projects financed since 2017 are connected to foreign firms, from suppliers and contractors to equity sponsors and shipbuilders across jurisdictions including China, the United States and Europe.
The disclosures reveal deals with foreign companies supplying solar infrastructure in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta, foreign telecommunications equipment in Ontario and a $1 billion BC Ferries project awarded to a Beijing-owned shipyard.
“At a time when Canadian workers in key sectors are already facing uncertainty, the Liberal government is still choosing to rely on foreign suppliers for critical infrastructure instead of building up our own workforce and supply chains,” added Lewis.
At the same time, the government also admitted that its much-touted “Buy Canadian” policy has yet to be more than rhetoric, with no contracts yet signed under it. While the Liberals claim to support Canadian workers, their own bank admits that it only “encourages” the use of Canadian goods and services.
Conservatives are calling for full transparency on government procurement and foreign involvement in domestic supply chains to support Canadian workers and industries.
“Canadians have heard about ‘maple washing’ at the grocery store, but now we’ve learned that the government is doing the same with their tax dollars,” concluded Block. “Buy Canadian branding doesn’t get people jobs, and the Liberals’ lack of action or meaningful results shows it’s just another illusion.”