Hon. Andrew Cardozo: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.

First, sir, my congratulations to you on assuming this role.

My question is regarding federal expenditures and job creation.

With $9 billion in defence spending over this and the next few years, how can the government ensure that we are spending as much as possible to develop the defence industry and create jobs in Canada rather than buying equipment off the shelves of other countries?

And when we do buy from other countries, can we ensure that they make substantial purchases from Canada in the near term in a reciprocal agreement? So, for example, if we buy $1 billion of their defence equipment, they buy $1 billion of canola from us.

Hon. Pierre Moreau (Government Representative in the Senate): I appreciate the question. The government will not compromise when it comes to protecting Canadian workers and businesses, and that means buying Canadian.

The government is doing this by ensuring Canadian suppliers and their products are prioritized in all federal spending, not just defence spending. This new buy-Canadian policy builds on sector-specific measures to protect our sovereignty, grow our industries, support our workers and build one strong Canadian economy.

At this transformative moment, the government is shifting from reliance to resilience. The government will use all the tools at its disposal to build big, build boldly and build the strongest economy in the G7, which is where Canadians want the government to be.

Senator Cardozo: Thank you. That is encouraging. I have a supplementary question. Last week, the government announced a $500-million loan to Algoma Steel. There are many examples of the federal and provincial governments providing major grants or loans to big corporations that, in the end, either did not complete their investment or ended up giving their executives huge bonuses within months. If they are desperate enough to take federal assistance, should they not be desperate enough to forgo executive bonuses? How will the government ensure that the money goes to creating jobs for ordinary workers?

Senator Moreau: Senator Cardozo, the Canadian steel industry is vital to Canada’s economy and security, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and driving growth across the manufacturing, construction and energy sectors.

That is why the government has introduced targeted measures, such as this loan, to support Canada’s steel industry, protect Canadian jobs and strengthen domestic industrial capacity. When we are protecting jobs, we are protecting workers, their families and the Canadian economy as a whole.