Political aides in the Prime Minister’s Office offered a sole-sourced pandemic contract to a US vendor by text, according to records. The message went to a Trudeau Liberal contact at Tesla Motors Canada.
"We will pay, of course," texted Sarah Goodman, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's senior advisor on climate action. Goodman’s March 25, 2020 message followed a March 23 announcement by California’s governor that Tesla billionaire Elon Musk had made a "heroic" offer of 1,255 free ventilators.
"We see that Elon Musk was able to acquire some ventilators from China for California," texted Goodman.
"As you know, we are working all our pathways to get more supply here in Canada. If you have access or avenues to get ventilators, that would be most appreciated," she texted.
"We will pay, of course."
Tesla Motors does not manufacture ventilators. Ultimately no China-made ventilators were delivered by Tesla, according to the California governor’s office.
The texted offer went to Iain Myrans, national senior manager for public policy at Tesla Motors Canada. Myrans was a former Liberal policy director for then-Ontario Environment Minister Glen Murray before joining Tesla in 2017.
Internal emails show the Prime Minister’s Office arranged a flurry of meetings between Tesla executives and managers in the Department of Industry. One political aide questioned the usefulness of the meetings.
"Tesla has no plants in Canada," wrote the staffer. "Tesla bought, did NOT make 1,255 ventilators from China to donate to California."
Tesla Motors had already benefited from more than $125 million in federal subsidies in two years, including Department of Transport rebates for Tesla customers and $5,896,959 in grants to install electric charging stations in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Sarah Hussaini, director of policy in the industry minister’s office, emailed colleagues saying they could "claim this win" if Tesla accepted a COVID contract. "We will be looking for partners that we can send their way," wrote Hussaini.
"Makes sense to see if they’d temporarily contract out manufacturing to other Canadian producers and get a cut," she continued.
"The call with Tesla focused on understanding their ability and willingness to step up and offer their services whether it be for manufacturing of hand sanitizers or assembly of testing kits as well as building mask-making machines," wrote Hussaini. "The company emphasized their many years of experience."
Tesla’s Myrans replied to aides: "If the Department of Industry knows of companies making ventilators in Canada that require machined parts, please connect them with us."
"Hi Iain, thank you for your offer," replied the department’s Hussaini. "We would like to discuss areas of priority needed in Canada that could benefit from a parts arrangement with Tesla. Do you have time to connect by phone this afternoon?"
Accounts do not indicate whether Tesla was a subcontractor on any federal orders for pandemic supplies.
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