Debates of September 26, 2017 (day 81)
Question 887-18(2): Federal Funding for Infrastructure
Merci, Monsieur le President. Earlier today the Minister for Infrastructure made a Minister's statement about federal infrastructure programs. Folks on this side of the House, we often do not really know what our Cabinet colleagues are doing with regard to these programs, so it was a helpful update. I am just wondering, he mentioned in his statement that there is an initial proposal that has been submitted to the Low Carbon Economy Fund. Can the Minister just shed a little bit of light about what is in that proposal so that we have a better understanding? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Low Carbon Economy Fund is something that came up in short order with the federal government. They gave us a very short timeline to respond to what we think we could deliver on what their criteria was around this. It is still an ongoing bilateral agreement with the federal government. There were a number of initiatives that we have put forward. I am not so sure I can discuss them in the House right now, as the negotiations are still going back and forth with the federal government.
Thanks to the Minister for that. I understand it might be the subject of negotiations. Is the Minister willing to share that draft proposal with the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment on a confidential basis?
Yes, we can do that.
Thanks to the Minister for that commitment. Would the Minister be prepared to do that with other federal infrastructure programs? I am not asking to be deluged with initial proposes, but, on this side of the House, we just do not know what is going on a lot of times with what our Cabinet colleagues are doing in terms of submitting proposals. Is the Minister prepared to make that commitment on other federal funding programs, big infrastructure ones? I do not need everything.
I can take that under advisement and then let the Member know.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.