Article content“The reference process is not a mechanism for achieving political ends,” the panel wrote in its decision, saying it was clear that if they delivered an opinion, it would be used politically to determine who should pay the $650-million upgrade costs.Article content‘Several years’ before shovels in the groundArticle contentHouston has often repeated that Ottawa should pay the entire cost and he ran a successful fall election campaign on the premise that his majority government required an even stronger mandate to demand a fair shake from a federal government that had previously treated the province unfairly on issues that included the isthmus infrastructure project.Article contentIn September 2024, the Nova Scotia government applied to the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. Through that fund, the federal government has agreed to pay $325 million, half the overall project cost, and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will pay the remainder, $162.5 million apiece.Article contentArticle contentHouston said the province agreed to pay $162.5 million while the court process continued to avoid delays in the important work required on the isthmus.Article contentAfter a cabinet meeting Thursday, provincial Public Works Minister Fred Tilley said the province’s top court erred in not rendering an opinion on the question.Article content“We’re currently reviewing the case,” Tilley said.Article content“In the meantime, as a province, we’re taking a Team Canada approach, we’re continuing our pre-engineering work, we’re continuing our consultations with our partner in New Brunswick,” Tilley said.Article content Fred Tilley, minister of public works, announces the site location for the new northside middle school in Sydney Mines in May. Photo by Jeremy Fraser /Cape Breton PostArticle contentHe said the department understands how important the isthmus is and the department will “fix” the infrastructure.Article content“It’s going to be several years before you see shovels in the ground on that project,” he said.Article contentWhat’s happening nowArticle contentThe department followed up with an email explaining what is happening on the ground. It said pre-construction work is essential for planning and permitting, and it accounts for the first years of the 10-year project. The department has entered into a memorandum of understanding and meets regularly with New Brunswick, it has received approval for the federal funding arrangement, and it has hired a project manager.Article contentArticle contentThe department, in the meantime, is building a protective berm near the LaPlanche River, collecting baseline environmental data and identifying wetlands, fish habitats and species at risk, conducting contingency planning and emergency exercises and updating the economic impact study.Article contentSmith-McCrossin said she and many of her constituents agree that the federal government should pay the entire cost of the fix but she respects the court’s decision.Article content“I would challenge the premier’s decision three years ago to not get the work started and I believe that taking it to court was part of a delay tactic that we don’t need,” Smith-McCrossin said.Article contentSmith-McCrossin said her message to the premier is that the province will receive more than $5 billion in federal transfer payments for fiscal 2025-26 and it should find the money to pay the provincial share of the upgrade costs, budget for it, make it a priority and “work with (the federal government) collaboratively” instead of fighting.
MLA says Chignecto Isthmus work needs to start now, blames Houston for wasting years on court challenge
