Ottawa’s $45.7-million G8 Legacy Infrastructure Fund did not have to be spent on projects that were directly linked to the meeting of world leaders in Muskoka.
“We wanted to ensure that we put a good face on Canada,” Conservative candidate John Baird said at a news conference.
Mr. Baird said the money was used in part to build or improve on infrastructure linked directly to the summit, while the rest of the fund was a gift to the region.
“We did a bit of sprucing up to a part of Canada that is beautiful,” he said. “There were legacy funds to thank the greater region of Muskoka for hosting the summit.”
Mr. Baird said he had the final word on the projects that were approved, though he didn’t deny that the Conservative minister from the region, Tony Clement, was involved in the process.
According to the federal government, the 32 projects that received funding included signage, road improvements and downtown-revitalization projects.
“Recipients were not required to report to Infrastructure Canada which facilities were used by G8 leaders,” the federal government said in a written answer tabled in the House of Commons in February.
“Funding was allocated to infrastructure projects that would help the region prepare for hosting the G8 Summit, support the effective and secure hosting of the Summit as well as to provide a lasting legacy for local communities.”
The Auditor-General of Canada has looked into the fund, as part of report that was delayed because of last month’s election call. A leaked draft of the report has fuelled a battle between the Conservatives and the other main parties over the validity of the spending.
The opposition has criticized a number of projects, pointing out that a $17-million G8 centre that was not actually used for the event, and that the money was used to build public restrooms located 20 kilometres away from the summit site.
A spokesperson for the Deerhurst Resort denied its general manager, Joseph Klein, was involved in the decision-making process, as stated in the first draft of the Auditor-General’s report.
“As head of the events host venue, Deerhurst Resort General Manager Joseph Klein was asked to participate in this committee as a liaison between the community leaders, the minister and the mayor of Huntsville. His role was to assist, like many other individuals, in sharing non-confidential information that could be helpful in the planning process,” spokeswoman Anne White said. “Neither the general manager or anyone at Deerhurst was ever asked to evaluate or review projects selected for G8 Infrastructure funding. Deerhurst was not involved in this process.”
Below is the full list of projects:
District Municipality of Muskoka
Muskoka Tourism Gateway Signs: $408,000
Muskoka Tourism Visitor Information Centre: $260,000
Road improvements: $1.8-million
Jack Garland Airport Corp.
Jack Garland North Bay International Airport Improvements: $3.5-million
Province of Ontario
Highway 11 upgrades: $350,000
Town of Bracebridge
Bracebridge Sportsplex Emergency Backup: $40,000
Gateway Signage: $150,000
Annie Williams Park Upgrades: $500,000
Downtown revitalization: $800,000
Town of Gravenhurst
Downtown beautification: $1.2-million
Town of Huntsville
Huntsville beautification and lighting: $106,000
Port Sydney beautification: $250,000
Reconstruction of Deerhurst Drive: $2-million
University of Waterloo G8 Centre Expansion: $9.8-million
G8 Centre: $17-million
Town of Kearney
Main Street beautification: $730,000
Town of Parry Sound
Parry Sound beautification: $178,000
Parry Sound downtown streetscaping: $1.1-million
Town of Sundridge
Sundridge pedestrian crossing: $125,000
Beautification of Sundridge: $750,000
Village of Burk’s Falls
Improvements to Burk’s Falls Town Centre: $150,000
Township of Georgian Bay
Port Severn Gateway feature signage: $1-million
Port Severn streetscape/linear parks: $1-million
Township of Lake of Bays
All-season heritage plaque in Baysville: $39,000
Baysville community streetscape improvements: $117,000
Lake of Bays Band Shell and public washrooms: $300,000
Township of Muskoka Lakes
Tourism signage: $250,000
Bala Falls road upgrades: $386,000
Paignton House road upgrades: $424,000
Township of Perry
Road improvements: $100,000
Township of Seguin
Seguin Township beautification and streetscape: $745,000
Village of South River
South River community beautification: $65,000
