Statement made on 11 May 2010 by Senator Nick Sibbeston
Hon. Nick G. Sibbeston:
Honourable senators, my question today is about infrastructure funding in the North. My colleagues Senator Lang and Senator Patterson I am sure will be interested in the response from the government leader.
We are now in the final year of stimulus spending. The ministers responsible for infrastructure spending have frequently stated that any projects not completed by March 31, 2011, will lose their federal funding. Municipal, provincial and territorial governments will be on the hook for the full cost of the projects that go over the deadline.
The North being what it is, remote, distant, with some areas subject to summer sea lift, winter ice roads and short summer work seasons, it is difficult and challenging to start and finish projects. What assurance can the minister give us that planned projects in the northern territories will receive all the promised funding and that small, remote communities and financially strapped territorial governments will not be penalized if the reality of northern construction is in conflict with federal government-imposed timelines?
Please click here to read the full text of the Senator's question