The Department of Industry last year bought more than $1.5 million worth of American-made electric Ford pickups at $96,000 apiece, records show. “We’re in the big leagues,” Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne earlier told reporters.

Champagne in an Inquiry Of Ministry tabled in the Commons disclosed his department outspent all others with $3,934,523 on new zero emission vehicles last year. Costs included 16 Michigan-made F-150 Lightning electric pickups bought at $96,191 apiece.

The figures were disclosed at the request of Conservative MP Branden Leslie (Portage-Lisgar, Man.) who asked, “With regard to the purchase of zero emission vehicles by government department, agency Crown corporation or any other government entity, how many have bene purchased in total?”