Saint John bridge funding dispute continues

Negotiations between the federal and provincial governments over the Saint John Harbour Bridge are continuing to hit a roadblock.

The federal government has rejected the New Brunswick government's pitch to share maintenance costs for the aging bridge.

The provincial government wants Ottawa to agree to a 30-year deal that would split future maintenance costs.

The federal government says it will treat the bridge as it does highways with an application for funds dealt with on a yearly basis.

Energy Minister Jack Keir said the provincial government wanted assurance for the bridge's future upfront.

"All we said is, 'Ok, instead of us just going hat in hand every year, let's formalize it right now," Keir said.

There are parts of the bridge deal that the two sides can agree on.

The provincial government will take over ownership of the bridge and wipe out its tolls.

'It's the only deal that's ever been put on the table by the federal government, so it's a good deal.' — Keith Ashfield, federal cabinet minister

In return, the federal government will forgive its long-standing $22-million debt and cover half of the current repairs.

Federal cabinet minister Keith Ashfield said that offer still stands.

"We feel that the offer we have is a good one," Ashfield said.

"It's the only deal that's ever been put on the table by the federal government, so it's a good deal."

The fight between the two levels of government over the bridge's fate has dragged on for months.

Earlier this spring, the Saint John Harbour Bridge Authority had blamed the federal government's indecision on stalling much-needed repairs.

The provincial government had to approve a $35-million loan guarantee without Ottawa's assistance.

Under the original agreement for the bridge, which dates back to 1966, the authority needs permission from all three levels of government to secure such a loan.

Election promise

In the last federal election campaign, Saint John Conservative MP Rodney Weston promised a deal that would see the tolls removed.

Now, with the Sept. 27 election date moving closer, the Harbour Bridge funding question was again thrust under the political spotlight.  Retiring Conservative MP Greg Thompson, the province's former federal cabinet minister, said Ashfield's office was playing politics with provincial funding commitments.

Premier Shawn Graham seized on the comments and demanded the federal government step forward with several high-profile funding deals, including a long-term agreement on the Harbour Bridge.

After Graham and Ashfield met following Thompson's comments, the New Brunswick premier said he felt a funding deal to repair the Harbour Bridge in Saint John could be reached by a June 30 deadline.

That target was missed and if a deal is going to be hatched, Keir said the federal government has to be flexible if they want to make any progress.

"If they want to get it done, they've got to step up to the table, take some responsibility for that bridge. We're not asking them to take all the responsibility," Keir said.

"We're willing to step up and take our share but they have to stand up and take their share as well. And so until they acknowledge that, there's not much chance [of a deal]."