Infrastructure funding a "shell game," says Rae

An infrastructure funding announcement made Friday by Egmont MP Gail Shea can be described as a "shell game," says interim federal Liberal leader Bob Rae.

During an interview Saturday with The Guardian, Rae questioned Shea's announcement of the federal government pumping $400 million into P.E.I. over the next 10 years.

The announcement made Friday was part of the "Building Canada Plan," which Shea described as "the largest and longest federal investment in building roads, bridges and public transit in Canadian history."

Rae said Shea's announcement was smoke and mirrors.

"I don't know how she knows how much of that will go to Prince Edward Island since it's not been targeted in that way," said Rae, adding that the funding announced won't take effect for more than a year.

"This year, the municipalities are actually going to be competing for fewer dollars, so I think what we're seeing here is a shell game, where they're actually spending less on infrastructure than they were spending before."

"It's an old, old game and I've been at this game for a while. If a government wants to make a program sound bigger than it really is, they'll announce it over five or 10 years."

Rae was on P.E.I. for his last visit to the province as interim leader, although he added he plans to return once the party elects a new leader.

He had been at the Summerside Farmer's Market in the morning, before participating in an EI town hall event in Elmsdale.

Much of the discussion focused on recent federal changes to the Employment Insurance program, said Rae.

"There was a lot of anxiety in the room, a lot of concern, anger and frustration," he said.

Rae visited Old MacKenzie Farm in Rose Valley Saturday afternoon and attended a Young Liberals event in Charlottetown in the evening.

Original Article
Source: theguardian.pe.ca
Author: Mitch MacDonald