Bridge Deal Investigation Blocked
Liberal MPs Block Vote on Motion to Probe Gordie Howe Bridge Deal
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Liberal MPs shut down a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday without holding a vote on a Conservative motion to investigate Canada's controversial side deal on the Gordie Howe International Bridge, according to National Post. The deal, struck with the Trump administration, gives the U.S. 50% of the bridge's net revenues for the first 15 years of operation — but only after Canada recoups its construction and debt-servicing costs.
The move drew immediate fire from opposition MPs, who argued the Liberals were deliberately dodging scrutiny of a deal that has sparked confusion and controversy since it was announced, Stratford Beacon Herald reported.
What the Gordie Howe Side Deal Actually Says
The bridge deal includes a revenue-sharing arrangement with Washington. Under the agreement, the U.S. receives 50% of net revenues for the first 15 years the bridge is open. But that split only kicks in after Canada pays back its debt for building the bridge. Canada will also contribute 50% of funds to a United States-Canada Economic Development Fund — controlled by the U.S. government, according to Fairview Post.
President Donald Trump had blocked the bridge's opening in June, calling the original deal unfair to the United States. The new side arrangement was presented as a fix. Critics say it hands Washington significant financial control over a piece of Canadian infrastructure, Hanna Herald reported.
Liberals Adjourn Before Vote Can Take Place
Conservative MPs brought a motion to the committee demanding a full investigation into the deal. It also called on the Department of Housing, Communities and Infrastructure Canada to release all drafts of the agreement within two weeks, according to Woodstock Sentinel Review.
The motion further demanded that three senior cabinet ministers testify before the committee: Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson. Liberal MPs adjourned the meeting before any vote could be held, Mitchell Advocate reported.
Opposition Attacks Carney Over Cowboy Hat Confusion
Opposition MPs also took aim at Prime Minister Mark Carney over statements he made about the deal. Carney had struggled to clearly explain the revenue-sharing terms in public. Opposition critics argued that wearing a cowboy hat — a reference to a recent public appearance — shouldn't affect the accuracy of his explanations, according to National Post.
The criticism reflects a broader frustration among opposition parties. They say the Liberals have been evasive about the details of the deal since it was announced. Adjourning the committee without a vote only deepened those concerns, Stratford Beacon Herald reported.
What Comes Next for Bridge Deal Accountability
The Conservative motion has not been killed — it was simply not voted on. The committee can revisit it at a future meeting. Opposition parties say they will keep pushing for hearings and document releases. The bridge itself remains a major binational infrastructure project connecting Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan.
With three cabinet ministers named in the motion and a two-week deadline for document release on the table, the Conservatives are signaling they plan to keep the pressure on. Whether the Liberals allow a vote remains to be seen, according to Fairview Post.
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