OTTAWA – Conservatives are playing crass partisan games with an infrastructure stimulus program designed to renew community centres and arenas across the country, according to figures released today by Liberal Infrastructure Critic Gerard Kennedy.

In Ontario, the only province where Recreation Infrastructure (RInC) program funding promises have been substantially completed, Conservatives gave themselves 34 per cent more money on average over opposition held ridings.   Similar outcomes are evident in preliminary results the four western provinces, where the Conservatives have given 82 per cent more funds to themselves.

“In effect, Mr. Harper is saying that some children who need recreation facilities are worth less than others, that some unemployed Canadians who need jobs are worth less than others, simply if they live in the majority of ridings that did not elect a member of his party,” said Mr.Kennedy. “It’s utterly unacceptable.”

While there is clear evidence of political targeting, unemployment rates have almost no correlation in determining where the funds meant to help create jobs have been promised.

Kennedy released details of $190 million promised in federal funds in Ontario as the latest installment in a series of analyses of infrastructure stimulus programs, each showing tens of millions of dollars being misdirected by Conservatives abusing their government authority.   The RInC report shows $27 million in extra funds were taken by Conservatives to pay for 199 additional projects over and above what a fair distribution would have entitled them to.

The Conservatives have particularly shortchanged the City of Toronto by providing 60 per cent less funds for an average riding compared to Conservative ridings in the province. 

The Minister responsible for administration of the fund, Minister of Industry Tony Clement, made himself the second largest beneficiary in terms of numbers of projects awarded, taking four times the average number.

“Mr. Clement doesn’t seem to get it,” said Kennedy. “This is not his personal slush fund.  It’s all borrowed money that Canadian taxpayers will have to pay back – and they don’t want to pay for his re-election or that of his colleagues.”