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.
"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.
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.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
