NDP secures PBO analysis of Gordie Howe International Bridge Project

Ottawa — New Democrats are pleased that the Parliamentary Budget Officer has agreed to their request to undertake an analysis of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

On July 21, NDP International Trade and Transport Critic Heather McPherson asked Parliamentary Budget Officer Annette Ryan to provide an analysis of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, with particular attention to the project’s financial costs relative to initial government estimates, including contract changes, legal actions, and cost overruns and accountability.

“New Democrats long supported the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, but we had advocated for a wholly public model, not the public-private partnership (P3) that was imposed,” said Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona). “It’s clear now that the cost overruns, legal issues and contract changes need to be examined by an independent authority like the PBO. This is a Canadian project paid by public money – and Canadians want to know if the P3 model provided the promised value or not, and what other lessons should be learned from the project.”

MP McPherson also wrote to the Ministers for Infrastructure and for Canada-US Trade on July 20th, demanding transparency on the controversial deal the Liberal government made with the Trump administration.