MCNEIL: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HRM ARENA MUST BE DELIVERED
Date: Thursday July 9, 2009

(Halifax, NS) Opposition leader Stephen McNeil is urging the
provincial NDP government to ensure the four-surface arena being built
in Bedford gets much needed federal funding.

“This project is at the very top of Halifax Regional Municipality’s
infrastructure priority list submitted to the federal government,”
says McNeil. “The rink complex meets the Government of Canada’s
criteria for immediate stimulus and the funding will help address
critical recreation infrastructure needs in HRM and across Nova
Scotia.”

“If HRM must make up for the lack of federal funding, further
recreation and other infrastructure projects in the regional
municipality will likely be delayed due to lack of funds.”

McNeil believes the provincial NDP government has to play a leadership
role in securing the federal dollars required for the $40 million
arena.

“If the Dexter government is committed to seeing this important
municipal project move forward, the premier and his ministers need to
immediately start the dialogue with Ottawa,” McNeil states. “There
is great concern among citizens of HRM, at city council and around our
caucus table that any delay may cost Nova Scotians this tremendous
recreational resource. It is critical that the funding come quickly in
order to meet completion deadlines in the federal infrastructure
program.”

“If the province allows Ottawa to back away from this promise, it
won’t just be the residents of HRM that suffer,” explains McNeil.

“Municipalities right across this province are relying on federal
funding to complete important community projects - the provincial NDP
government must ensure that people, not politics, come first.”

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