Trudeau response to roads comment falls short: WCR&HCA
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not answered the Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association’s (WCR&HCA) request for a public statement indicating the federal government will continue to invest in transportation infrastructure, particularly trade corridors and gateways.
The WCR&HCA, in a February 22 letter to the Prime Minister, sought the public statement following Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault’s public comments February 12 that Ottawa would not be investing in new roads, a statement he later clarified to mean no large infrastructure projects.
That prompted a series of responses, including letters from construction associations across Canada, including the WCR&HCA. The WCR&HCA letter was also sent to Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
“We ask that you clear the confusion, publicly re-commit unequivocally to strategic investments in nation-building, economic growth-enabling shovel worthy infrastructure assets, including the trade gateways and corridors Canada needs to be a globally competitive economy.”
In response, the Prime Minister’s office replied acknowledging receipt but noting Trudeau “will leave the issue you raise to be considered by Minister Fraser.”
“We’ll be following up,” MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc said. Lorenc is also president and CEO of the WCR&HCA. “Respectfully, we should be able to expect an answer from the Prime Minister that his government supports ongoing strategic investment in Canada’s trade transportation system.”
