$1 LRT land offer 'mischaracterized': Strahl

Federal transport minister Chuck Strahl said Thursday his statements about selling the City of Ottawa Crown land for $1 for the its light-rail transit plans were "mischaracterized" by a city councillor.

On Wednesday, Ottawa Coun. Diane Deans (Gloucester-Southgate) shared an email from Strahl that said the federal government would explore opportunities to hand over the land along Ottawa's planned light-rail transit route at a discounted rate.

"It pays to ask," said Deans, who asked Strahl to consider a deal despite a city council vote to not approach the federal government for a discount.

Strahl sent Deans a sharply worded letter Thursday that said he was "concerned" about her comments.

"To date, I am unaware that any request from the City of Ottawa exists for the transfer of federal land for transit purposes," the letter said.

"If the City of Ottawa makes such a request, the Government of Canada will not consider proceeding without receiving an offer of compensation at fair market value for the land."

In the initial email Strahl sent to Deans, the minister cautioned that some legal limitations might require the city to buy some of the land at market value.

Thursday's letter said compensation could be monetary, or in the form of a land swap between the federal government and the city.

The federal government has already pledged to contribute $600 million to Ottawa's LRT plans, Strahl pointed out.