I would like to thank the Honourable Minister Deepak Obhrai for responding to my letter, which was sent to all Calgary MP's, regarding the reversal of the decision to fund Calgary's application to P3 Canada.
His letter does seem a bit of a carbon of what I have seen from others, but he did, at least, respond. I can not say the same for my MP Jason Kenney.
Below is the response telling me that Mayor Nenshi has unfairly criticized the Federal Government by demanding that they answer to their decision to deny Calgary's application to fund recreation centres through the 'arm's length ' P3 Canada Corporation.
I do enjoy how the Federal Minister places the blame on someone else for allowing the criteria to be placed on the P3 Canada website - "There was never any legal authority for P3 Canada to fund rec centres. We regret if information on program eligibility was inaccurately provided by P3 Canada. P3 Canada has corrected this error, clarifying that recreational centres do not, and never have, been eligible for funding".
To the Honourable Minister Obhrai, I think that there is plenty of evidence to the contrary. I understand that no one ever likes to admit when they have done something wrong, particularly a government that relies on popular opinion to stay in office, but this is clear failure on your part, the Federal Government.
You and your colleagues know that we deserve more from those that are supposed to represent us.
Below is the response I received the Deepak Obhrai. Enjoy
show details Dec 2 (4 days ago) |
Dear Adam Chapin,
Thank you for your email of November 27th expressing your concerns with regards to P3 funding for new recreation centres in Calgary.
Mayor Nenshi has unfairly criticized our government for rejecting a funding request for public-private partnerships for four recreation centres in the city.
Our Government has demonstrated our commitment to Calgary’s infrastructure priorities; we have provided over $200 million in infrastructure funding to support the City’s priorities, on top of $60 million in annual gas tax revenues the City can use as it pleases.
Our Government does not pick winners and losers - federal infrastructure funds are typically allocated on an equal, per capita basis across the country. Calgary received its fair share of these funds based on the size of the population.
We’re focused on supporting Canada’s economic growth – especially renewing and improving vital infrastructure. The P3 Canada fund is a limited fund, as one part of our Government’s larger plan to support Canada’s infrastructure.
When the federal government created P3 Canada, limits were placed on what kind of projects could be funded. There was never any legal authority for P3 Canada to fund rec centres. We regret if information on program eligibility was inaccurately provided by P3 Canada. P3 Canada has corrected this error, clarifying that recreational centres do not, and never have, been eligible for funding. This principle has been applied across the country.
I hope the above will serve to help you better understand our government’s commitments through P3. Meanwhile, we continue to stay focused on economic growth and creating jobs for Canadians.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me. I always appreciate hearing your views.
Sincerely,
Deepak Obhrai
Member of Parliament – Calgary East
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Thank you for your email of November 27th expressing your concerns with regards to P3 funding for new recreation centres in Calgary.
Mayor Nenshi has unfairly criticized our government for rejecting a funding request for public-private partnerships for four recreation centres in the city.
Our Government has demonstrated our commitment to Calgary’s infrastructure priorities; we have provided over $200 million in infrastructure funding to support the City’s priorities, on top of $60 million in annual gas tax revenues the City can use as it pleases.
Our Government does not pick winners and losers - federal infrastructure funds are typically allocated on an equal, per capita basis across the country. Calgary received its fair share of these funds based on the size of the population.
We’re focused on supporting Canada’s economic growth – especially renewing and improving vital infrastructure. The P3 Canada fund is a limited fund, as one part of our Government’s larger plan to support Canada’s infrastructure.
When the federal government created P3 Canada, limits were placed on what kind of projects could be funded. There was never any legal authority for P3 Canada to fund rec centres. We regret if information on program eligibility was inaccurately provided by P3 Canada. P3 Canada has corrected this error, clarifying that recreational centres do not, and never have, been eligible for funding. This principle has been applied across the country.
I hope the above will serve to help you better understand our government’s commitments through P3. Meanwhile, we continue to stay focused on economic growth and creating jobs for Canadians.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me. I always appreciate hearing your views.
Sincerely,
Deepak Obhrai
Member of Parliament – Calgary East
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
