Mayor welcomes new rules for federal funds

The cash is not yet flowing, but the federal government’s new plan for funding infrastructure and other projects has Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison feeling optimistic.

Two days after the federal budget was tabled, the Conservative government released a few more details about its capital spending plans for the next 10 years that could affect Saskatoon’s infrastructure needs.

Atchison expressed enthusiasm for the announcement of a more flexible approach to distributing $32 billion in gas tax money that can now be used for quality-of-life projects such as recreational facilities.

“It aligns with a lot of the projects we want to do in Saskatoon,” Atchison said Thursday. “I think today’s announcement was very positive for all of us here in Saskatoon.”

Atchison cited aquatic facilities and ice rinks as priority recreational projects for the city. There are also 10 overpasses that need to be built, as well as repairs to the University and Broadway bridges, he said.

The $14-billion New Building Canada Fund announced Thursday is divided into $10 billion for projects of provincial, regional or local significance and $4 billion for projects of national significance.

Atchison would not say where his priorities lie in deciding between bridge repairs and overpasses or between recreational facilities and basic infrastructure. He said council will decide what projects are most important.

“I think they’re all important (projects), but we need to look into the engineering that goes into this,” he said. “The good news is there are funds available to make these difficult decisions with.”

Saskatoon has also applied for funding to the federal government’s P3 (public-partnerships) Canada Fund to help pay the $240-million cost of a new north commuter bridge and a rebuilt downtown Traffic Bridge. An increase of $1.25 billion for P3 projects was announced Thursday.

“We’re still waiting for a positive response from the federal government this spring,” Atchison said of the bridge money.

When asked if any local projects pass the national significance test, Atchison pointed out Saskatoon is one of 10 cities identified as a key economic driver for Canada.

“Everything we do in Saskatoon has national significance,” he joked.

The new fund is part of a $53-billion infrastructure plan announced in last year’s budget. At least $1 billion will be spent on projects in Saskatchewan.

Provincial Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said Thursday there remain many details to work out about the funding before any work can start.

“We’re sort of getting some detail, but, quite honestly, this is going to be a lot of work between provincial and federal officials over the next number of days and weeks until we sort everything out,” he said.

“So, again, we won’t know for some time if we’re successful and which projects. We don’t even know yet which ones we’d be applying for.

“Obviously, we’ve got a lot of projects in the hopper.”