'Virtually nothing coming' from Tory stimulus fund

Intresting. I'd like to see what both sides have to say about this.

For the record, infastructure spending was the biggest chunk of stimulus I wanted from the government. So if these numbers are true (I hope they are not), then I will be rather dissapointed.

Someone posted a link to stimulus projects across Canada and I checked the ones 'occurring' in my area. None of them are actually in progress as far as shovels in the ground. Some of the projects are listed as proposed. Most projects are small at less than one million dollars and I would gather that those would not generate new jobs but may prevent a shortage of work for those already employed by contractors.

so now its a "tory" stimulus package?

i think its an Ottawa stimulus package, any one of our beloved federal parties would have screwed this one up.

Personally, its left me disenchanted with federal politics.

It is great to criticize about money moving slowly but as I recall this money was for "shovel ready" projects it is up to municipalities/ provinces to get manpower, land and equipment in place before the money is sent. I think this has less to do with the federal government than it does with incompetence at lower levels.

On a side note if it was proven at a later date that any of this money was not accounted for correctly, you know that the opposition and members here at CKA will have plenty to say!!!

Well, given that the Conservatives form the government and tabled the budget, yeah it's a tory package. Just because they implemented it so they could stay in power and not have to call an election doesn't make it any different.

Well, given that the Conservatives form the government and tabled the budget, yeah it's a tory package. Just because they implemented it so they could stay in power and not have to call an election doesn't make it any different.

Conservative? yes. conservative? no.

So why on earth would a Conservative party table a non-conservative package? Are you suggesting that the opposition parties didn't play a role?

IMO, no one is innocent on this matter. I have contempt for all federal parties, not just the Tories.

Gotta agree with ASL, the budget and stimulus package was effectively a product of all parties, but the management of distribution rests soley on conservative party shoulders.

When is the opposition and their followers going to use some common sense?

How in the World is the Government supposed to accept applications for stimulus funding, approve the applications, designate money for projects and then get the projects started? Let's not forget the bill approval stage and it having to pass the Senate.

For example, highway widening or building expansion isn't something that happens overnight. It takes planning, environmental assessments and approval from all levels of government.

You just don't start building massive billion dollar projects on a whim for the sake of putting money on the street. These things take some time!

Well, given that the Conservatives form the government and tabled the budget, yeah it's a tory package. Just because they implemented it so they could stay in power and not have to call an election doesn't make it any different.

Conservative? yes. conservative? no.

So why on earth would a Conservative party table a non-conservative package? Are you suggesting that the opposition parties didn't play a role?

IMO, no one is innocent on this matter. I have contempt for all federal parties, not just the Tories.

Well, the Conservatives lost any moral ground when they did exactly what other minority governments have done in the past (like Martin and his deal with the NDP in 2005). Had they stuck to their prinicples and had an election, they could take the high road, but to label this as an 'opposition stimulus' package is specious at best.

They chose power over priniciples, period. I do however, agree with your cntempt for the federal political parties. None of them has shown me anything special of late.

An coalition government was the end result had Harper stuck to his guns.

Most Conservatives, Liberals & Ignatieff himself will tell you that the coalition was a bad idea for Canadians.

So if I understand Layton's complaint right, he's not complaining so much that money is being thrown around, as he is it's not being wasted fast enough. Too which I answer, "Wah! Cry me river."

So what's the NDP's campaign slogan going to be "We'll waste your money quick".

That's what they do best.

As stokes pointed out, the money is supposed to be for 'shovel ready' projects. Most municipalities have a planning department and have projects ready to go years in advance so they can make it into budgets.

I realize large, costly projects will still take months, and possibly a couple years to start(shovel ready).

But what about all the little $200k-$500k projects? Contractors can't purchase new equipment and hire new people for these small projects. They will just put the project in queue and do it when they have equiment and manpower available.

If the projects aren't started enmasse I can't see any increases in employment but maybe a stablizing of job losses.

The nation as a whole needs manufacturing/industrial jobs to return before the recession can be over. Whether it be oil, lumber products or vehicles.

The USA also needs to come out of their funk to make it all possible.

Like I said its tory rhetoric .. bullshit... as usual.