Winnipeg mayor, construction industry welcome Liberal infrastructure spending

The cement on a new Liberal government hasn't started to dry yet, but promises of infrastructure cash are generating some smiles in Winnipeg.

Prime minister designate Justin Trudeaupromised during the campaigntorun deficits of up to $10 billion a year, with $5 billion in new spending designated formassive infrastructure projects in the first year.

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Mayor Brian Bowman didn't hesitate for a second when asked where he'd like to see the federal money spent.

"The number 1 priority for Winnipeggersis fix the roads," Bowman said at a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce function the day after the election.

The city willpump a record$103.3 million into roads this year and looks forward to the federal government helping out, Bowman said. He also said he'dlike to see the feds spend more on transit, specifically rapid transit.

People in the constructionindustry also relish the idea of a federal infrastructure tap getting turned on, but the enthusiasm comes with some caveats.

Spread the spend

CarmineMilitano,a senior vice-president at Bockstael Construction, said he'd like to see what he calls a "balanced spend." Bockstael works on projects ranging from multi-family housing to schools to hospitals.

"There is infrastructure that is degrading,that needs some attention. At the same time, there's some quality-of-life infrastructure that's required and that is going to needsome attention," Militano said.

Quality-of-life projectsinclude affordable housing and investments in arts and culture facilities, he explained.

The federal government's participation in these projects is a bonus, he said, becauseno one level of government has to pay for everything on its own.

"It's leveraged dollars. It leverages the city's dollars, it leverages the province's dollars it creates greater opportunity," Militano said.

Where Militanowants a split of priorities, the head of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association is more focused on a single goal.

"Access to Manitoba's markets should be the priority," said Chris Lorenc.

Repairs and improvements to highways that bring commerce inand send Manitoba's materials out should be where the infrastructure money is spent, Lorenc said. He singled out Highway75 and Highway 10, both routes to the U.S., and Highway6 to Thompson as important links.

Lorenc alsosees the massiveCentrePortdevelopment, an inland port and foreign trade zone in Winnipeg, as an important piece of infrastructure that needs investment to continue growing.

Build it but plan properly

Lorenc and Militanoagreed onthe need for proper planning and investments in productivity in the construction industry.

A big increase in infrastructure spending must be well thought out, Lorencsaid.

"Don't build or repair just for the sake of building or repairing," he said.

There were also tempering words from WinnipegChamber of Commerce president Dave Angus.

"We have to make sure that this governmentand we have to hold their feet to the fireremains committedto competitiveness," Angus said. "If we start sliding, in relation to tax policy, regulation, etc., which make it more difficult for Canadian businessto do business, then it won't matter. We won't have the resources to sustain infrastructure investment."

Trudeau said during the campaign that he'll discuss where federal infrastructure money is going in his first meeting with the provinces.The Liberalspromisedthey would spread the cashequally among public transit, green projects and social infrastructure.