Conservative Government showers money on west coast ports

While the Liberal opposition suggests that it’s nothing but a bowl of reheated soup, the Prime Minister was in Vancouver Wednesday morning, outlining the funding plans for the West coast ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert and how they will fit into the province’s Gateway initiative.

Showing a nice grasp of geography and math for the Vancouver audience, Mr. Harper proclaimed that Shanghai is two days closer to Vancouver, three days shorter if you choose the Rupert option.” He went on to add, that the federal investment in the West Coast will make the two ports leaders in the North American shipping industry.

And while the Liberals grumble about re-gifting (something that they have had a bit of experience with over the years), for B. C. it’s really irrelevant who takes the credit or who write the cheques, just as long as a frequently overlooked ant taken for granted part of the country finally finds a bit of resonance in Ottawa.

In fact, with the Liberals and Conservatives taking turns suggesting that they love us more, it can only mean more attention and benefits for the West Coast of the country.

The CBC had the full details of the Harper visit to Vancouver on its website.

Harper promises money to boost B.C. ports
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 3:13 PM PT
CBC News

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Wednesday that his government will provide $591 million to build up the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

Speaking to reporters on the Vancouver waterfront, he said the investment will make the B.C. ports leaders in the North American shipping industry.

"Our major West Coast ports are much closer to the main commercial ports of Asia than most of the American ports that we compete with.

"Shanghai, for example, is nearly two days closer to Vancouver than it is to Los Angeles for the fastest container ships. Prince Rupert is at least three days closer."

The plan calls for a fast-tracking system that would allow Vancouver terminals to move containers in and out of the ports more quickly, and the addition of a container screening facility in Prince Rupert.

It also includes money for major highway and bridge construction in B.C. as part of the province's Gateway initiative.

Promise not new, says Liberal critic

The Liberal critic for Western Diversification, North Vancouver MP Don Bell, calls Harper's announcement nothing more than a regurgitation of what his party announced last year.
Last October, the previous federal Liberal government pledged $591 million for the two ports and for the Gateway plan.

Bell said the Conservatives appear to have watered down the Liberal commitment, by spreading out the money over eight years instead of the five years promised by the Martin government.
"And, at the five-year point, we would have invested $591 million. They will have only invested $239 million, which is a $351 million Gateway gap, as I call it.

"We made the announcement, targeted the money and we would have already been spending the money by now. This is nine months later that they say they are, quote, 'taking action.'"
Bell said Wednesday's announcement is the just the latest in a series of re-announcements by the Harper government of previous commitments — with important details omitted.