Joe Oliver does not confirm federal cash for Moncton centre

Finance Minister Joe Oliver would not confirm whether the federal government will ante up $24 million for Moncton's proposed downtown sports and entertainment centre.

When asked about federal support for the proposed $107-million centre, Oliver told Information Morning Fredericton on Thursday that there are "important projects" across Canada and infrastructure applications are being sent into the federal government.

"All worthwhile projects will be given top consideration," he said.

But Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe Conservative MP Robert Goguen has said Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Minister Rob Moore are "on board" with a plan to indirectly fund the downtown sports centre.

The federal government will not directly fund sports centres, but Goguen has said Ottawa would be willing to pay for infrastructure projects in Moncton that would then free up $23.5 million for the city to spend on the downtown centre.

On Thursday, Oliver said it was "entirely appropriate" for Goguen to advocate in favour of funding for the downtown centrein his riding.

But the finance minister did not confirm whether Ottawa would hand over any cash as Goguen has promised.

"I haven't heard that. I'm not aware of each individual project, for one thing, it is not in my portfolio," Oliver said.

"I'm sure that if we are dealing with top projects then they will get the funding that they merit. We care very much about every region in the country and that is why I'm here and my colleagues are visiting as well."

Despite Goguen's optimism overfederal funding for the downtown project, ACOA's Moore was also less direct when asked about the centre last week.

"Our government remains committed to working with the City of Moncton on a number of important infrastructure priorities that the city has put forward under our Building Canada Fund and through ACOA," he said, without specifically mentioning the downtown centre or detailing funding.

Goguen has taken issue with the New Brunswick government's ongoing examination of the project before deciding if any provincial cash will go to the centre.

Moncton wants to build the $107-million sports and entertainment centre on the downtown parcel of land where the old Highfield Square mall once stood.