Windsor West MP Brian Masse wants to know what Sandwich Towne will get out of a bill ensuring communities affected by the construction of major infrastructure projects derive benefit.
During debate on Bill C-344 in the House of Commons Monday, Masse took Transport Minister Marc Garneau to task for approving plans to twin the Ambassador Bridge, questioning why there were no community benefits attached to that project.
"They have faced a number of traffic issues, and nightmares related to pollution, and disruption; the losses of churches, the loss of schools, the loss of business, and even the losses of homes related to the border, and they desperately need some type of support," said Masse. "They approved this for a private American businessman -- a brand new border crossing, and what did the prime minister and the minister of transport give the community for this? Nothing."
Masse says he and his party support the bill, but he also questions why the federal government is willing to pay the Windsor Port Authority $10-million to protect Ojibway Shores when it could transfer the land into public hands at no cost, and use that money to help support Sandwich Towne.
"All they've asked for is a little something back, and what happens? $10-million to the port authority wants to take from a community benefit fund," he told the House.
Garneau, who has authority over port authorities, met with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens last Friday to discuss the naturalized area which will be in the shadow of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Masse points out, the fund is meant for communities, not federal agencies. He also points out making the land a public park would mean transferring jurisdiction of the land, which is already considered public, to Parks Canada.