10-20-2015, 11:27 AM
So we will have a new Liberal majority government. They have said they are planning to run a short-term $10B deficit to invest in infrastructure. Given that the budget is roughly balanced now, I think a $10B/year infrastructure investment seems like a reasonable guesstimate. On a per capita basis, that could be $150M/year in Waterloo Region -- if funds are distributed evenly. And if the Region can put forward a good proposal.
So what is realistic to propose? LRT stage 2 would be very nice, and it's not funded yet. The challenges are that (1) current ridership numbers make it hard to justify, and (2) the actual spending would be probably two years down the road, and I expect the federal government will be looking for a more short-term economic impact.
What else? How about funding for the intermodal station? That construction could start as soon as next year, if funding can be secured.
So what is realistic to propose? LRT stage 2 would be very nice, and it's not funded yet. The challenges are that (1) current ridership numbers make it hard to justify, and (2) the actual spending would be probably two years down the road, and I expect the federal government will be looking for a more short-term economic impact.
What else? How about funding for the intermodal station? That construction could start as soon as next year, if funding can be secured.