Tax dollars at work - this has to be stop

[Ts100]

The Canadian Tax Federation is saying that this is what our taxes are being used for...

The Champlain Bridge in Montreal has seen better days. Opened in 1962, it’s in need of replacement. Oddly, the federal government built and continues to own this local bridge. The Harper government has generously offered to build a $5 billion replacement bridge, which would be financed, over time, through tolls (just as the original bridge was until 1990).

However, Quebec’s top politicians (Premier Couillard, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau) are all fighting against the tolls. They want Canadian taxpayers to foot the $5 billion bill as a gift to Quebec and Montreal.

Elsewhere in Canada, cities and provinces pay for local bridges. The $3.5 billion Port Mann Bridge in metro Vancouver, the world’s widest bridge, was completed in 2012 with no federal taxpayer money, and is financed entirely by tolls. The $1 billion Golden Ears Bridge, completed in 2009, is also financed entirely by tolls paid by Vancouver motorists.

It’s unclear why the federal government is willing to build a local bridge in Montreal in the first place, but if Quebec politicians get their way, it will be completely financed by taxpayers all across the country.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to hear from Canadians who think local bridges should be built by provinces and cities, not the feds. Further, if the feds are going to build a new Champlain Bridge, it had darn well better have tolls to recoup the costs.

[wanderingman]

The Champlain Bridge in Montreal has seen better days. Opened in 1962, it’s in need of replacement. Oddly, the federal government built and continues to own this local bridge. The Harper government has generously offered to build a $5 billion replacement bridge, which would be financed, over time, through tolls (just as the original bridge was until 1990).

However, Quebec’s top politicians (Premier Couillard, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau) are all fighting against the tolls. They want Canadian taxpayers to foot the $5 billion bill as a gift to Quebec and Montreal.

Elsewhere in Canada, cities and provinces pay for local bridges. The $3.5 billion Port Mann Bridge in metro Vancouver, the world’s widest bridge, was completed in 2012 with no federal taxpayer money, and is financed entirely by tolls. The $1 billion Golden Ears Bridge, completed in 2009, is also financed entirely by tolls paid by Vancouver motorists.

It’s unclear why the federal government is willing to build a local bridge in Montreal in the first place, but if Quebec politicians get their way, it will be completely financed by taxpayers all across the country.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to hear from Canadians who think local bridges should be built by provinces and cities, not the feds. Further, if the feds are going to build a new Champlain Bridge, it had darn well better have tolls to recoup the costs.

It just goes to show one the arrogance and corruption of federal government and Quebec .Exactly why would they actually entertain spending 5 billion dollars of our tax money for a bridge in montreal. especially when BC never received a penny for same projects.one can only assume its to gather votes and to suck up to the French population of canada

[rookie314]

Harper won the last election without Quebec. The only ones who benefited from Quebec were the NDP. The Paradigm shift has begun.

[Rwede]

The bridge will be paid for by tolls. Harper is making the correct choice by having the users pay back the cost the bridge loan, unlike Trudeau and Mulcair who want to give Quebec a $5 billion freebie.

You leftist Mulcair and Trudeau lovers better have a good reason why you're supporting a freebie for Quebec yet bash Harper for wanting the Quebec bridge users to pay for it.

[Merry]

Frankly when you add up all the different taxes we pay (income tax, vehicle license fees, gas tax, sales tax, tire tax, etc. etc.) I don't think ANY public road or bridge should be tolled (either here or wherever it may be). The various levels of government should use our tax dollars to pay for essentials (such as roads and bridges) first, and then, and only then, spend on the various "wants" that everyone has.

Sadly, these days, governments often do it the other way round, and spend our hard earned tax dollars on their various "pet" projects, and then demand "user fees" for what are really essential services. ALL levels of government do this, and it ought to stop.

[wanderingman]

Frankly when you add up all the different taxes we pay (income tax, vehicle license fees, gas tax, sales tax, tire tax, etc. etc.) I don't think ANY public road or bridge should be tolled (either here or wherever it may be). The various levels of government should use our tax dollars to pay for essentials (such as roads and bridges) first, and then, and only then, spend on the various "wants" that everyone has.

Sadly, these days, governments often do it the other way round, and spend our hard earned tax dollars on their various "pet" projects, and then demand "user fees" for what are really essential services. ALL levels of government do this, and it ought to stop.

and now to top it off that AH Harper wants to give 3.5 billion to poor of the world? what about the poor in Canada and all the failing infrastructures,need for schooling,our medical system ???this guy is crazy and needs to be put down

[Gone_Fishin]

and now to top it off that AH Harper wants to give 3.5 billion to poor of the world? what about the poor in Canada and all the failing infrastructures,need for schooling,our medical system ???this guy is crazy and needs to be put down

I find people who wish death on other people to be the crazy ones.

[SmokeOnTheWater]

It’s unclear why the federal government is willing to build a local bridge in Montreal in the first place, but if Quebec politicians get their way, it will be completely financed by taxpayers all across the country.

Champlain bridge is a federal bridge .. not local or provincial.

[Dizzy1]

Champlain bridge is a federal bridge .. not local or provincial.

What makes a bridge Federal?

[wanderingman]

put harper down now before he ruins this country

[SmokeOnTheWater]

What makes a bridge Federal?

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/bridges-new-bridge-for-the-st.lawrence-2812.htm#1

[my5cents]

"SmokeOnTheWater : Champlain bridge is a federal bridge .. not local or provincial."

What makes a bridge Federal?

It's a bridge on the Federal Highway, the Trans Canada Highway..... Oh, wait a minute,,,, isn't the new Port Mann Bridge on the Trans Canada Highway ?

If Thomas Mulcair has his way, he'll buy the next election with promising no tolls on the Champlain Bridge to the Montrealer's

Here's an interesting blog on the subject : http://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog/media-fin ... duplicity/

Am I the only one who's having a problem with Canadian politics ? I hate Harper, don't like or trust Mulcair, Trudoedoe would need a map to get out of a phone booth. Provincially, I hate the Liberals, and don't like or trust or respect the NDP, that pretty much sums it up.

I'm serious, without much trouble at all, anyone with half a brain could easily justify not voting for anyone.

Is it responsible to vote for the "least un-trustworthy" ? I have a rule, "if you don't vote, you can't *bleep*", so I gotta vote.

[johnp3]

I know in B.C. if a road goes to a ski hill it will be upgraded and there are no tolls. The Highway of Death is a prime example, maybe there is a ski hill near the bridge?