Ottawa fears continued delays on infrastructure spending in Quebec, part of growing frustration over stalled projects
Two major projects have already seen delays in Montreal, prompting worries that the federal infrastructure program could be hitting snags in a key election battleground
' Ottawa plans to spend $190 billion over 12 years to expand Canada’s roads, bridges, telecommunications lines and other infrastructure, part of a 2015 campaign promise by Trudeau to boost the ailing economy. It’s only managed to spend $42.3 billion over the past three years, according to Infrastructure Canada data. About $25 billion of that spending has gone toward new Liberal infrastructure programs announced since 2015.
Criticized for the slow rollout, Ottawa has long blamed the provinces’ failure to promptly approve projects and send receipts to the federal government. The delays have been especially long in Quebec — particularly under Premier François Legault, who took power in late 2018. Ottawa has approved 677 projects in Quebec since 2015 under its infrastructure spending plans, but just seven since the Legault government took power, according to Infrastructure Canada data.
The Quebec premier’s office did not respond to request for comment.
Ottawa took steps to sidestep the provinces and give infrastructure dollars directly to Canadian municipalities in its 2019 budget, promising to double funding for the federal gas tax fund for a single year, up to $4.4 billion. The fund essentially provides infrastructure funding directly to Canadian cities and towns, without requiring federal or provincial approval. Municipal lobby groups such as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities have been pressing Ottawa to permanently expand its gas tax fund, arguing it allows cities and towns to plan infrastructure spending in the long term, free from any political meddling.' |
