A new Volkswagen electric battery plant in St. Thomas, Ont., will cost the federal government over $16 billion and construction of the facility will bring with it a small economic benefit, according to an analysis from the parliamentary budget officer (PBO).
“Based on our analysis, the federal government’s financial commitment to Volkswagen will total around $16.3 billion over the period of the agreement,” Parliament Budget Officer Yves Giroux said in a news release.
The federal government announced the deal with Volkswagen earlier this year. Ottawa agreed to provide up to $13.2 billion in production subsidies to the company over the next decade.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has
