THUNDER BAY – In political circles, Question Period in the House of Commons is aptly named. Questions are asked, often answers are never really given.
On Monday in the House of Commons, Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer was up seeking information on the Federal Government’s engagement with Thunder Bay and the Event Centre.
Here is the exchange from the Hansard:
Mr. Bruce Hyer: Mr. Speaker, our cities have crumbling infrastructure. We are the only G20 country with no national housing strategy. For decades the feds have downloaded onto the provinces, and the provinces onto the municipalities. So when will the Conservatives stop subsidizing undertaxed multinational corporations like big oil and start working with mayors to invest in critical infrastructure like public transit, municipal housing, and important projects like the proposed event centre in Thunder Bay?
Hon. Denis Lebel (Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are doing.
We have introduced the largest and longest infrastructure plan in Canadian history in partnership with the provinces and municipalities. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities was involved at each stage of the plan.
I applaud our government, which is investing $75 billion over 10 years in new infrastructure.
