Andrew Scheer Accuses Mark Carney of Using the Canada Infrastructure Bank to Enrich Liberal Insiders With Taxpayer Dollars

Ottawa – Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer and fellow Opposition MPs have sharply criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government over a major funding package from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) for a Nova Scotia wind energy project, alleging it funnels taxpayer money to companies with close ties to Liberal figures.

The controversy centers on the Mersey River Wind Farm in Hunts Point, Queens County, Nova Scotia. In late February 2026, the CIB announced a $206 million loan to support the development of 33 wind turbines with a capacity of up to 148.5 MW. The project, led by a partnership involving Slate Asset Management, funds managed by Hamilton Lane, and Renewall Energy Inc., aims to deliver clean electricity directly to businesses and residents, helping Nova Scotia transition away from coal-fired power.

Additional support includes up to $25 million from Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Renewables program and eligibility for a federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit worth up to $122.5 million, bringing total federal backing to around $231 million (with the exact taxpayer cost depending on loan terms and tax credit uptake). Officials describe the initiative as creating over 200 construction jobs at peak and avoiding approximately 220,000 tonnes of emissions annually.

Conservative Accusations of Insider Dealing

Critics, including Conservative Shadow Ministers Michael Barrett (Ethics) and Leslyn Lewis (Infrastructure), argue the project benefits politically connected individuals at the expense of ordinary taxpayers. The company Roswall Development Inc., which owns the entity selling electricity from the project, has directors with notable Liberal ties:

• Michel Samson — Former Nova Scotia Liberal MLA and interim party leader.
• Edgar Samson — Brother of former federal Liberal MP Darrel Samson.
• Mitchell Brison — Brother of former Liberal MP and Cabinet Minister Scott Brison (a longtime friend and advisor to Mark Carney).
• Dan Roscoe — Son-in-law of former Liberal MP and Cabinet Minister David Dingwall.

Conservatives point out that a comparable Nova Scotia wind project (Everwind) secured roughly $240 million in purely private financing, raising questions about why this one required below-market-rate public loans. They have drawn parallels to past Liberal “green slush fund” controversies involving conflicts of interest.

In a statement, Barrett and Lewis said: “Government insiders should not be getting rich on the backs of Canadians. Canadians deserve transparency about how $206 million from the Canada Infrastructure Bank was allocated to this project.” They called for the full release of related documents.

Scheer and other Conservatives have repeatedly framed this as part of a broader pattern under the Carney government, where only “Liberal insiders and the Ottawa consultant class” appear to benefit while everyday Canadians face ongoing affordability pressures.

Government and Project Response

Project representatives and government officials have rejected claims of favoritism. Michel Samson has stated that no political influence was used and emphasized the directors’ business expertise and the project’s alignment with other renewable energy initiatives in the province. Natural Resources Canada has said the proposal underwent evaluation by an expert panel.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank describes the loan as addressing financing gaps for low-carbon projects in its Clean Power priority area. Federal ministers involved in the announcement highlighted job creation, emissions reductions, and support for Nova Scotia’s clean electricity goals by 2030.

Critics in Parliament, including during recent committee hearings, have pressed for details on the loan’s interest rate and terms, which have not been publicly disclosed.

Broader Context

The Canada Infrastructure Bank, established under the previous Liberal government, was designed to leverage public funds to attract private investment in large-scale infrastructure, particularly in clean energy and other priority sectors. It has faced scrutiny from both Conservatives and some on the left since its inception over concerns about risk to taxpayers, potential privatization of public assets, and political influence in funding decisions.

This latest dispute comes amid ongoing political tension as Andrew Scheer, serving as Conservative House Leader, continues to challenge the Carney government’s economic record after roughly one year in power.

As demands for greater transparency grow, the Mersey River Wind Farm case highlights deeper divisions in Canadian politics over the use of public money for green projects, the role of Crown corporations like the CIB, and questions of accountability when political connections are involved.

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