$5 million for a temporary rink on Parliment Hill -- WOW!

[Glacier]

This is half a million more than Smithers paid for their brand new indoor permanent rink. This is a huge waste of tax payer's money in my opinion...

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/don-mart ... -1.3691581

For proof, look no further than the $5.6-million ice rink on Parliament Hill, which was extended from 24 to 83 days of operation this afternoon as public backlash started to grow. That’s $67,500 each and every day before it’s unplugged and allowed to melt away, killing off a big chunk of Parliament Hill turf in the process.

It could’ve been sold as a unique Ottawa experience - except we’re two blocks from the world’s largest skating rink on the Rideau Canal and another larger artificial ice surface just over there at city hall.

[PocoGirl]

Completely agree. I can think of so many better ways to spend $5.6 mil to spend it wisely. $5.6 mil is a good chunk of change. Unfortunately the current government thinks it’s petty cash. Canadian taxpayers are the current Government’s global & national ATM and continues to spiral out of control

[MalaPropina]

Huge waste! No hockey. No music. No food. No cell phones. No figure skating. No spectators. You have to get your pass 2 days in advance and its only good for 45 minutes. Several other rules apply as well.

The Rideau Canal, lauded as the world's largest and longest skating rink is 2 blocks away! Its free. Open 24hours. Granted you can't play hockey there either, but there's no 45 minute restriction and is much more conducive to spontaneous family fun.

So... $5.6 million dollars for....??? An ice rink that sounds like no fun that will be open for only 25 days.

Good job Ottawa. Way to spend those tax dollars.

[TreeGuy]

Just the tip of the iceberg of the money that this Liberal Government wastes. All Canadians should be in an uproar over this and their other frivolous spending.

Meanwhile at the PM’s office....

[Thinktank]

It's a bargain compared to the $15 billion Trudeau just spent on war-making stuff.

[Ranger66]

This is the kind of story that breeds the fake news syndrome because it leaves out an important fact. The rink will be given to a Canadian town when it is dismantled. So the clown brigade jumps on to their soapbox’s and vomits out the same spoon fed inconsistent facts because they believe everything they read as long as it fits their certainty. I am not particularly happy with any waste of tax dollars but you should check your facts (google) before you just buy into a clearly bias editorial.

[TreeGuy]

This is the kind of story that breeds the fake news syndrome because it leaves out an important fact. The rink will be given to a Canadian town when it is dismantled. So the clown brigade jumps on to their soapbox’s and vomits out the same spoon fed inconsistent facts because they believe everything they read as long as it fits their certainty. I am not particularly happy with any waste of tax dollars but you should check your facts (google) before you just buy into a clearly bias editorial.

The rink being given away doesn’t make me feel any better about it, maybe worse. So we will have to pay for this rink to be shipped to another town and set it up. Frivolous.

[Ranger66]

I am not disagreeing with you, just pointing out that we need to be cautious of Don King type of stories. (That’s humor by the way.)

[Omnitheo]

How quickly people here seem to forget the Gazebo and fake lake under the Conservatives.

Millions in taxpayer dollars for a summit that lasted a few days...and were constructed an hour away from the summit where none of the attendees would even see it.

Those of you explicitly blaming the liberals for this and using it as a reason to get rid of them must be NDP fans, because clearly that’s the only alternative that isn’t spending millions in this fashion.

[Dizzy1]

How quickly people here seem to forget the Gazebo and fake lake under the Conservatives.

Millions in taxpayer dollars for a summit that lasted a few days...and were constructed an hour away from the summit where none of the attendees would even see it.

Those of you explicitly blaming the liberals for this and using it as a reason to get rid of them must be NDP fans, because clearly that’s the only alternative that isn’t spending millions in this fashion.

Funny how when a party is in the opposition seat, they'll blast the governing party for such frivolous spending but when they're in power themselves, they're just as irresponsible.

Waste of money is waste of money - regardless of who's holding office.

[MalaPropina]

This is the kind of story that breeds the fake news syndrome because it leaves out an important fact. The rink will be given to a Canadian town when it is dismantled. So the clown brigade jumps on to their soapbox’s and vomits out the same spoon fed inconsistent facts because they believe everything they read as long as it fits their certainty. I am not particularly happy with any waste of tax dollars but you should check your facts (google) before you just buy into a clearly bias editorial.

Perhaps, before name calling, you should find out what facts commenters are or are not aware of. I am well aware that this rink is to be donated, probably through some sort of contest that will cost tax payers more money to run and advertise. But its already slated to be donated to a community in the Ottawa area so it doesn't necessarily have any potential benefit to anyone but Ottawa.

Donated or not, its still a huge waste of money.. ..The cost of daily operation is over $215,000, And now there is talk of keeping it open until February.... Over $215, 000....everyday. Let that sink in while you listen to the news about the ever climbing deficit, drug overdoses, the homeless, suffering veterans and the pleas for government help in adressing missing women.

[Ranger66]

“Waste of money is waste of money - regardless of who's holding office.”

I hope you’re not holding your breath until things change.

[Ranger66]

“I am well aware”

But you did not present your point like you were aware of the facts. I never said this was a good idea but as was pointed out:

“ Waste of money is waste of money - regardless of who's holding office.”

[Gilchy]

Donated or not, its still a huge waste of money.. ..The cost of daily operation is over $215,000, And now there is talk of keeping it open until February.... Over $215, 000....everyday. Let that sink in while you listen to the news about the ever climbing deficit, drug overdoses, the homeless, suffering veterans and the pleas for government help in adressing missing women.

It does not cost $215,000 per day to operate, that was the total cost divided by number of days set up - ignoring the fact it will be set up somewhere else after.

Not saying it was a prudent financial decision, but let's not get carried away.