OTTAWA — Opposition parties are pressing for an audit of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s $187-billion infrastructure spending plans, an effort that underscores the Liberals’ faltering position in the House of Commons under a minority government. Trudeau in 2015 promised to funnel a record number of public dollars into various infrastructure projects across Canada, including anything from seaports to public transit expansions, over 10 years. Liberal MP Andy Fillmore, parliamentary secretary to the infrastructure minister, pushed back against removing restrictions, arguing Ottawa needs to maintain certain accountability measures under the spending plan. NDP MP Peter Julian was also supportive of the motion in general, but stressed that infrastructure spending plans under both Conservative and Liberal governments have fallen short. While an online database by Infrastructure Canada details the precise location and cost of the department’s infrastructure projects, others point out that it only accounts for a portion of overall spending.

Source: National Post January 29, 2020 10:52 UTC