First rule of magic – misdirect attention
I’m a day early, and a few dollars shy, but let’s open with a quote taken from the Federal goverment website. The one that explains how a part of the money Canadians spend on every litre of gasoline is earmarked. The part that explains the GTF (Gas Tax Fund), which is a virtual piggybank, collected by piggy from the rest of us.
The GTF supports environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure, such as:
- Public transit
- Drinking water
- Wastewater infrastructure
- Green energy
- Solid waste management
- Local roads and bridges
Now, let’s jump ahead a few hours, to the announcement that the premier of Quebec will make, in concert with the mayor of Quebec City. The “dreamers”, for need of a better name. The plan has been, and continues to be, the construction of a new skating rink multi-purpose arena in Quebec City. A need driven by rich business people the common man. But, the “dreamers” were a few dollars short. The deep pockets of Ottawa were clear; no new money for a skating rink multi-purpose arena. Find another way. And so they did.
The Ottawa crowd has decided to amend the GTF rules. Instead of fixing the roads, Quebec will be free to invest in the need of certain wanna-be hockey team owners. Although the idea of Ottawa helping to pay for the big game is anathema in the rest of Canada, the feds will be blameless if Quebec decides to misuse public funds. And, just maybe, the confused voter won’t notice the malfeasance if ever the election writ is dropped. (Fat chance!).
