HALDIMAND—Haldimand–Norfolk MP and Shadow Minister of Infrastructure Leslyn Lewis is calling for greater transparency and accountability following testimony at committee this week on a $206 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to a Nova Scotia wind farm project linked to former Liberal MPs, raising questions about preferential treatment.
“Canadians expect that taxpayer-backed financing decisions are made on merit, with rigorous due diligence and without political influence,” she said.
Lewis highlighted concerns raised by constituents and local business owners in Haldimand-Norfolk, many of whom face significantly higher borrowing costs through traditional lenders.
“Small businesses in our community are working hard, often paying substantially higher interest rates and navigating strict lending conditions,” Lewis said. “They do not have access to specialized financing arrangements that appear to be available to the politically connected in cases like this.”
In questioning, Lewis also asked when the CIB became aware of connections between individuals involved in the project and prior public office. Officials confirmed that this information was identified during due diligence prior to the loan’s approval.
“So essentially, you knew before that this loan was going to be given to Liberal-connected insiders before you granted the loan,” she said during committee.
During the exchange, Lewis pressed CIB officials on whether the loan was issued at a rate below what many Canadians currently face.
They declined to provide the interest rate.
While emphasizing the importance of investing in infrastructure and energy projects, Lewis said public confidence depends on fairness and transparency in how decisions are made.
Lewis said she will continue raising these concerns at committee and pressing for greater transparency around government-backed infrastructure loans, emphasizing that all Canadians, especially local businesses, should be treated fairly.
Watch a clip of the committee exchange here:
x.com/LeslynLewis/status/2037152223948378219?s=20
