Infrastructure Funds:Getting it right

The Gagnier scandal at the end of the campaign brought back some bad memories. It is lucky for the Liberals that the story did not break before Thanksgiving when the election was likely decided.

These are exciting times. I would have loved, for example, to have been at the department of Foreign Affairs as Stephane Dion, an intellectual steeped in the great Canadian traditions of dialogue and multilateralism, came through the door.

But the novelty will not last and Liberals will eventually be judged on their record. The signature economic policy of the campaign was a promise to increase infrastructure spending to spur growth.
But accounting for big government projects in Canada has not always been complete and funds have often been diverted to some questionable ends.

If the allocation of infrastructure funding is not done transparently, the old misgivings about the Liberals that could have fueled the Gagnier scandal if it had been timed right, will return with a vengeance.

What I am trying to say is: I'm really glad the Liberals are back in power but don't disappoint me again. Let's get it right this time.

New Beginnings

Liberals are back in power. I had come to accept being unhappy about the government to the point that I was not longer aware of it. So it was surprising how relieved I felt listening to the announcement of the new Liberal cabinet today. I needed to pinch myself to be sure it was real.

Knowing Stephane Dion is now Minister of Foreign Affairs is especially sweet.

I'll be posting again from time to time with a focus likely on the signature Liberal promise of increased infrastructure spending.