There's a problem with how Nova Scotia's NDP government approaches promises. It starts with the fact the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal thinks he's Santa Claus.
At first it was thought to be a bit of a joke.
On April 28, 2010 Minister Estabrooks said "when it comes to this time of year, the Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister often feels a bit like Santa Claus, because everyone is interested in what gift they're going to get under the tree and the gift arrives in the form of a tender."
But it seems the minister is more serious than previously thought.
Let me step back a bit and give this story some context...
In January 2009, the Nova Scotia government announced the Burnside Expressway - a long awaited four lane, $35 million highway connector - would proceed. In April 2009 then provincial Minister Angus MacIssac and federal Minister Peter MacKay announced a cost sharing deal that would split the cost of the project evenly. A completion date of 2011 was announced.
The expressway is a critical piece of infrastructure needed for safety and to meet industrial and commercial demands of the province and Burnside. It's one of the approved elements of the Atlantic Gateway. During public consultations no one questioned the need for the roadway and previous NDP members were among those of all levels of government, and all parties, who lobbied for the project.
However, yesterday in Question Period I asked Minister Bill Estabrooks about the status of the Burnside Expressway and he would not commit to the project. It was intended to be a fairly easy question. A question just to confirm the project was still on schedule for 2011 completion. It became anything but.
After question period, I was contacted by a variety of sources who pointed out that federal funding for the Burnside Expressway may be at risk if the project is not completed on time. That could mean a loss of $17.5 million to Nova Scotia taxpayers.
The possible loss of $17.5 million concerned me even more. So I asked the minister about it during today's Question Period. The minister simply complained that no one had lobbied him for the project to continue and asked why he should worry about it.
Were we supposed to give him some milk and cookies?
Up until the April 2009 confirmation that the project was funded and confirmed, many businesses and individuals including NDP members, the Greater Burnside Business Association, and members of Halifax Regional Council including me lobbied for this project.
Once project funding had been approved why would anyone think they'd need to continue lobbying. After all, there was a firm completion date. Funding was in place. Owners of businesses went back to work and focused on their own business. People had no reason to believe the project was in jeopardy, after all as of today even the government website still offered a 2011 completion date.
The fact is, not only was the project funded and a time line committed, but the minister's office has said nothing to the business community to suggest the project was delayed, or that it may not happen. That is not the way to treat the many Nova Scotians and businesses who have been eagerly awaiting the project's completion (or even start).
It also directly breaks a promise by the man who is now premier.
On May 13, 2009 the Chronicle Herald reported on a promise by now Premier Darrell Dexter to honour any commitments made by the previous Tory government. The 2011 completion of the Burnside Expressway was one very clear commitment.
The NDP not only promised to honour the commitments of the previous government, but also promised to take politics out of construction projects. Now the minister in charge of those projects thinks infrastructure investments should be done by writing pretty notes on the back of napkins or playing to the minister's ego.
And that is the crux of the problem.
The minister could have said in Question Period that issues have arisen which have unavoidably delayed the project. People would be upset, but would likely understand if the reasons were legitimate. These things happen.
Instead, Minister Estabrooks confirmed the NDP really hasn't taken the politics out of infrastructure projects.
Reinforced by comments such as those today, and those we hear so often from ministers like Minister Estabrooks like "I don't have any adding machine to total it up - but we will see what happens when those tenders cross Santa Claus' desk" (April 28, 2010)
