Transport Committee Calls Out Guilbeault for Failure to Testify on ‘No New Roads’ Policy

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault did not attend a Commons transport committee hearing on March 6, despite being summoned to testify about his controversial comments regarding Ottawa’s decision to no longer invest in new road infrastructure.

Conservative MP Mark Strahl criticized Mr. Guilbeault and his party for refusing to address questions about his previous statement that the federal government had no intention of constructing new roads.

Mr. Strahl, the shadow critic for transport, expressed concerns that Mr. Guilbeault’s announcement would have a negative impact on rural, remote, and northern communities that rely on federal funding for road infrastructure.

During a conference in Montreal on Feb. 12, Mr. Guilbeault stated that his party had made the decision to halt investments in new road infrastructure and focus on other forms of transportation and urban planning.

Following criticism, Mr. Guilbeault clarified that he should have been more specific in his statement, referring to large projects like the Troisième lien in Quebec.

Mr. Strahl also called out Infrastructure Minister Sean Fraser and Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez for not appearing before the committee to address the issue.

He urged the Liberals to explain their plans for future road construction and maintenance and expressed concerns about potential traffic congestion and deteriorating road conditions.

Fewer Roads, Fewer Vehicles

Mr. Guilbeault argued that investing in new roads would lead to increased private vehicle use, congestion, and further development of road networks. He advocated for redirecting funds towards climate-related initiatives instead of road construction.

Mr. Guilbeault’s comments received criticism from various premiers and the federal Conservative leader, who questioned the practicality and implications of the minister’s stance.

Liberal MP Chris Bittle reaffirmed the government’s infrastructure stance, emphasizing ongoing historic investments across the country since 2015.

New Democrat MP Taylor Bachrach raised concerns about conflicting messages between Mr. Bittle’s remarks and Mr. Guilbeault’s previous statements, calling for clarity on government policy.

Tory MP Melissa Lantsman held Mr. Guilbeault accountable for the perceived policy shift and urged transparency regarding the government’s infrastructure strategy.

Matthew Horwood contributed to this report.