Hédard Albert says he's in the dark about shipyard troubles

Caraquet Liberal MLA Hédard Albert says he is still hopeful about a government-subsidized shipyard in his riding, but has refused to discuss why the facility has run into money problems.

"I don't know," Albert told reporters, who buttonholed him outside a legislative committee meeting Tuesday.

"I can't talk about what I don't know."

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The New Brunswick Naval Centre, in the village of Bas-Caraquet, hasn't been able to pay bills worth more than $1.5 million from three suppliers. 

I can't talk about what I don't know.- Hédard Albert, Liberal MLA for Caraquet

Earlier this year, the province's Regional Development Corp. promised the centre $4 million to upgrade its infrastructure.

Albert attended the announcement, wearing a hardhat and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Premier Brian Gallant.

Albert wouldn't say if it will take even more taxpayer money to get things moving.

"I can't discuss that," he said.

"I don't know."

He said reporters should talk to RDC because he's simply an MLA, who isn't close to the situation.

"I wouldn't want something to happen and for it to not work out," Albert said.

"I want it to work and to go ahead."

Last week, a spokesperson for the Regional Development Corp. said the money problem was because of "certain conditions that had to be met," but he wouldn't go into detail.

On top of the $4 million from RDC, the naval centre got $2 million from the federal government's Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency earlier this year.

A Quebec company that will use the shipyard to repair its fleet is also due to get $3.8 million in payroll rebates from Opportunities New Brunswick, but that money won't flow until people are working.

MLA defends ownership structure

The New Brunswick Naval Centre is a private, non-profit corporation set up by the town of Caraquet and the village of Bas-Caraquet.

That means it's not required to open its financial books to the public.

The mayors of the two municipalities have refused interview requests about the money problems, and Albert told reporters, "I can't answer for them."

The veteran Liberal MLA defended the ownership structure of the naval centre, arguing the Greater Caraquet Industrial Complex, a 40,000-square-metre building that rents space to businesses, was set up in a similar way.

"There are several companies there, it was created by the town of Caraquet, it's working, and there are 150 employees there," he said.

Asked if the shipyard will survive, Albert told reporters he has championed the shipyard for years "and I'll continue to fight for it to succeed and move ahead," he said.

"I believe in its future and I hope with all my heart that it goes ahead, because it'll create jobs in our area, where we really need them."

But he repeatedly refused to answer questions about what precisely is going on, even after reporters pointed out he's visible in government photos.

"Well, it's fun being in the photo," he joked.