QUESTION PERIOD — Infrastructure and Communities
New Brunswick--Infrastructure Projects
March 20, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Senator, the Government of New Brunswick recently made the very difficult decision to cancel four federal-provincial infrastructure projects. The province, as Premier Higgs has said, simply cannot afford them with things as they are. This decision was met with an aggressive response from Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Now we hear that New Brunswick must pay.
The province has stated that the costs reflect work already completed, but in my view it’s unclear if the federal government is paying its fair share of this uncompleted work. Some of the statements Minister LeBlanc has made seem to insinuate that New Brunswick would find it difficult to get federal money if it doesn’t buy into the commitments made by the previous Liberal government.
Leader, can you tell me the details of what money, if any, the federal government disbursed for these projects up until and including their cancellations?
Again, I would have to take note of the question and get back to the honourable senator. However, I do want to assure the honourable senator, and all senators, that the Government of Canada remains committed to working with provinces on its infrastructure funding to ensure that the priorities of Canada are reflected in the agreements that are signed. It is not the view of the government that it signs these agreements with a political party, but with a government and that those governments are undertaking those obligations on behalf of a government.
There are obviously consequences to elections when governments change, but the obligations were undertaken by a government, not a party.
Thank you, senator, for that response. I agree with you that governments undertake these together.
I want to be very sure the federal government is not short-changing and charging too much to the government of New Brunswick, which has made a responsible decision in their recent budget initiatives. New Brunswick is struggling financially. While $31 million is not a lot in Ottawa, back home, it goes a long way.
New Brunswick is always ready to pay its bills. As a representative of New Brunswick, it’s my duty to question where these costs come from. Would you please endeavour to get me a breakdown of what federal money went into the projects before they were cancelled?
Again, I thank the honourable senator for her supplementary. As I indicated, I am happy to make inquiries and report back.
