Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, getting back to my Member’s statement from earlier today, during the last federal budget, an announcement was made of a $33 billion infrastructure program called the Building Canada Fund. I’d like to ask questions to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs about this fund. On Wednesday, I’d asked questions of the Minister of Transportation about whether a list existed from this government to the federal government in terms of what the priorities were. Here we are 48 hours later, less than 48 hours later and I’d like to ask the Minister of MACA, does a list exist and what’s on it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have not provided any projects to the federal government at this point. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess that wasn’t the answer to the question that I was looking for. Again, I’d like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs what is on the list and how did the government arrive at making those items that are on that list a priority? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member asked me what was on the list that we provided the federal government. Mr. Speaker, we have not provided a list to the federal government. Mr. Speaker, the list that the Member is referring to has not been compiled yet. There are a couple of projects that we’d like to announce once we have our framework negotiations completed. The list that’s being requested would be developed through the interim appropriations discussions and the capital planning and more than likely be targeted towards projects already in our business plan. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m wondering if the Minister can let the Regular Members of this House know how the government plans to consult with Regular Members when it comes to making things a priority of this government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you. I think, Mr. Speaker, we’ve done and taken the first step towards that by meeting with the committee and informing them of the process and the steps that we need to take. The first step, of course, is to sign a framework agreement. We hope to do that by sometime in December, and then we’d like to move forward with a funding agreement. We’ll be sitting down with committee to address the priority areas and the areas that we would like to see investment in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On this list, is there a regional balance in terms of projects that’s going to the federal government? Can the Minister comment on that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure what list the Member is referring to, so I’d have to get him to clarify that.