What A Novel Idea...Totally Foreign To Leftists

Expecting people, to whom you are giving public funds, to be accountable for how those funds are spent seems to scare the hell out of leftists. People should remember this novel idea when they listen to promises made by David Miller during his election campaign for mayor of Toronto. All of the promises he made during the last election, and they are showing up again during the current campaign, are predicated on receiving funding from the province and the feds.

Tories to vet municipal projects
Federal grants will mean scrutiny, Baird says
Major Toronto projects could be affected
Oct. 18, 2006. 01:00 AM
LES WHITTINGTON
OTTAWA BUREAU

OTTAWA—Big-ticket items like Toronto's waterfront revitalization or new fleet of subway cars could be held up if the Harper government disagrees with the way federal cash contributions are handled, says Treasury Board President John Baird.

Baird, who has been accused of interfering in local government here by delaying $200 million in funding for a rail project, says the Tories won't hesitate to apply their notions of accountability to municipalities using Ottawa's cash for infrastructure projects.

"When you ask for $200 million in federal grants, you get federal accountability," Baird said yesterday when asked if the Harper government plans to vet all grants to cities.

Baird's comment backed up remarks by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, the Tories' political minister for the GTA. He and his officials have expressed concerns about Ottawa contributing to the $710-million project to build 234 TTC subway cars. Flaherty objects to the job having been awarded to Bombardier in a sole-source contract.

Discussing that contract and millions of dollars in possible federal waterfront funding yesterday, Baird said the projects will be scrutinized before Ottawa approves its contributions.

"I think if you talk to anyone who's come before Treasury Board, that Treasury Board is much more rigorous and, you know, accountability is important," Baird told reporters.