In my column today in the TJ I take a jab at the federal government and its “one size fits all” thinking. Ontario, B.C. and Alberta, for example, have experienced very strong population growth over the past decade which has put serious stress on much of those provinces’ (particularly the large cities’) physical infrastructure. So we get “Building Canada” a $33 billion, seven year behemoth funding program.
I make the case that ‘building Canada’ in New Brunswick, at this point in our history, should be more about economic development than roads and bridges.
Sure, roads, bridges and such decay even with population decline. I get that. Sure, within New Brunswick there is a need to upgrade highways, etc.
But if you are getting ten bucks from the feds, why not let us use it for what we see as the most pressing need?