We’ve lost count of the number of federal funding announcements this week.
It’s been part of a multi-billion-dollar blitz across Canada as it’s now the worst kept secret in Ottawa that the P.M. is going to drop the election writ in the coming days. A disproportionate amount of that pork is coming to Tory-held ridings.
For those who have never been to a funding announcement, they go a little like this: There is a rented P.A. system and hired sound technician. A freelance photographer to supply photos of grinning politicians for the government’s website. Canada’s Economic Action Plan banners flank the mic and if you’re lucky, there’s bottled water and juice. Muffins if you’re really lucky.
There’s an entourage of government staffers and stakeholders and, sometimes, politicians who aren’t even connected to the announcement. And the whole thing is done after about 10 minutes of speeches directed at a couple rows of mostly empty, white folding chairs. Any questions?
Some are for important things like the flood mitigation efforts in Lynn Valley. Others are nice-to-haves. But all of them are simply granting back our own money to us and none require this pre-election pomp and ceremony.
Meanwhile, when it comes to the feds covering their share of the $700-million Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant? Crickets. The silence is deafening, especially as the federally imposed construction deadline draws near.
These election-season gifts to ourselves are great. They’ll really spruce the place up and we’ll have another federal deficit this year to show for it.
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