OTTAWA – The federal infrastructure minister says his government is willing to cut the strings on new infrastructure cash to help cities repair crumbling roads, bridges, and sewers.
The federal Liberals have been under pressure from big city mayors to loosen restrictions on promised infrastructure dollars so cities can spend the money where they feel they need it most.
Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi says the government wants to cut as many strings as possible from billions in new funding, while ensuring the spending meets long-term goals, such as economic growth.
Sohi says the government is looking for ways to quickly allocate $9 billion in existing, unspent infrastructure money to help cities build new and repair aging infrastructure.
He says he doesn’t want that money to miss another summer construction season.
The Liberals have promised to spend $60 billion more on infrastructure over the next decade, with $5.1 billion of the new money to be doled out this coming fiscal year.