Let Us Hope Not...!
Unpleasant signals coming through that the federal government may yet decide to assist in the funding of a sports arena for the City of Quebec. Definitely, that would represent a most unpopular move in the rest of Canada; to take tax money yet again, for yet another Quebec-based favour.
To endow the city with a professional sports arena will not endear the Conservative government outside of Quebec. Come to think of it, nor will it endear the government to voters inside Quebec, but for vastly different reasons. Pauline Marois can explain that one; Quebec's values are not commensurate with Canada's, she has recently announced.
Pierre Karl Peladeau of Quebecor, a vastly wealthy Quebecois, is prepared to negotiate with the city to do his part in funding said arena. Which is precisely what such sport infrastructures require; private philanthropy, not taxpayer-funding.
The salary-rich pay-outs to those involved in professional sports; the players, the team owners and others associated with the profession do not really need us to make them wealthier.
In any event, an agreement between the municipality and the province appears to have concluded that they are prepared to go it alone, without the assistance of federal taxpayers, and we should leave them to it.
Premier Charest, out of the goodness of his heart, and with an eye to his unpopularity and the next election, has committed to provide 45% of the estimated $400-million cost. Nice; but of course much of that would also represent funding from outside the province.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume is decidedly disinterested in an agreement that would involve the re-negotiation of the federal gasoline tax transfer program issuing revenues targeting infrastructure projects.
The mayor has the sense to realize that using the tax program would be tantamount to taking from Peter to pay Paul; cities are in urgent need of replacing vital ageing infrastructure and their need to increase public transit.
The eight conservatives MPs in the province are understandably anxious to have the federal government come through with funding for this project. Hoping it will reflect nicely on them come time for voters to express their appreciation.
It's all very well that the city aspires to enticing an NHL franchise, replacing what they lost. And aiding their aspirations for a future bid for the Winter Olympics. But not from the general tax revenues of all Canadians, please.
Even if the federal government seems to have discovered it's in possession of billions of unclaimed government benefits.
We'd far rather the money rattling around in the Treasury because eligible seniors have not taken advantage of Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Canada Learning Bonds not be used for a sports arena.
To endow the city with a professional sports arena will not endear the Conservative government outside of Quebec. Come to think of it, nor will it endear the government to voters inside Quebec, but for vastly different reasons. Pauline Marois can explain that one; Quebec's values are not commensurate with Canada's, she has recently announced.
Pierre Karl Peladeau of Quebecor, a vastly wealthy Quebecois, is prepared to negotiate with the city to do his part in funding said arena. Which is precisely what such sport infrastructures require; private philanthropy, not taxpayer-funding.
The salary-rich pay-outs to those involved in professional sports; the players, the team owners and others associated with the profession do not really need us to make them wealthier.
In any event, an agreement between the municipality and the province appears to have concluded that they are prepared to go it alone, without the assistance of federal taxpayers, and we should leave them to it.
Premier Charest, out of the goodness of his heart, and with an eye to his unpopularity and the next election, has committed to provide 45% of the estimated $400-million cost. Nice; but of course much of that would also represent funding from outside the province.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume is decidedly disinterested in an agreement that would involve the re-negotiation of the federal gasoline tax transfer program issuing revenues targeting infrastructure projects.
The mayor has the sense to realize that using the tax program would be tantamount to taking from Peter to pay Paul; cities are in urgent need of replacing vital ageing infrastructure and their need to increase public transit.
The eight conservatives MPs in the province are understandably anxious to have the federal government come through with funding for this project. Hoping it will reflect nicely on them come time for voters to express their appreciation.
It's all very well that the city aspires to enticing an NHL franchise, replacing what they lost. And aiding their aspirations for a future bid for the Winter Olympics. But not from the general tax revenues of all Canadians, please.
Even if the federal government seems to have discovered it's in possession of billions of unclaimed government benefits.
We'd far rather the money rattling around in the Treasury because eligible seniors have not taken advantage of Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Canada Learning Bonds not be used for a sports arena.
Labels: Canada, Government of Canada, Politics of Convenience
posted by Pieface | 7:49 PM
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