NDP says Green Line funding not guaranteed as debate heats up in Calgary mayoral race

As Calgary mayoral candidates argue over plans for the city’s Green Line LRT, Alberta’s transportation and infrastructure minister said they’re not handing over a blank cheque when it comes to provincial funding.

“That’s not now an open-ended commitment,” Brian Mason said Friday afternoon. “If the city wants to take another look at the Green Line and re-evaluate how it wants to do that, then we’re going to have to do the same thing and we’re going to have to re-engage with the city.”

“There’s no guarantee that that funding is there unless we are satisfied with the project, that it continues to meet the needs and the requirements of the province.

On Friday, mayoral incumbent Naheed Nenshi blasted opponent Bill Smith for his suggestion of re-evaluating the $4.6 billion project, which includes over $3 billion in provincial and federal funding.

It was originally to span from Seton to beyond 96th Avenue N.E., but in the summer, the city revealed the $4.6 billion would go from the southeast to just 16th Avenue in a first phase, sparking criticism against city administration.

Nenshi said the idea of completely revisiting the issue was shocking.

“It really is remarkably, breathtakingly uninformed,” he said Friday morning. “It really shows Mr. Smith’s habit of repeating what the last person he talked to said, rather than actually answering, or asking thoughtful questions.”

Nenshi said the provincial and federal funding is now at risk.

“Mr. Smith is willing to throw that away,” he said.

When asked about taking that risk after Nenshi spoke, Smith told reporters the money was still attached despite the route changes.

“I can’t imagine that suggesting that we want to make sure that we align with Calgarians needs is going to be an issue,” he said speaking of the federal funding. “I would think we’d flow through the same thing as where the feds were, I think the province is committed to seeing a line done.”

“All I’m saying is let’s use common sense in making this decision.”

Mason said there’s been extensive conversations between the province and the city in eventually securing the funding and any re-evaluation would lead to delays.

“That’s a concern, I know that Calgarians are hopeful this project can proceed quite quickly,” he said.

“I’m just saying it’s not a carte blanche, don’t assume that if you change what you’re asking for, that we won’t do our homework and make sure that the project is one we can support.”