2transpo
New Member
There really was no hope of this ever getting into the budget, and now it will get lost in the shuffle.
Does this mean we can put HFR discussions to rest?
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- Thread starter ehlow
- Start date
Does this mean we can put HFR discussions to rest?
kEiThZ
Superstar
I really fail to see the point of this strawman. Who said it was going to go ahead before the election?
Allandale25
Senior Member
^ I don't think there's a need to put the discussions to rest because a) the budget isn't here yet b) the JPO hasn't been released. I assume someone may try to FOI it even if the government doesn't move forward and c) the corridor is still there.
So my recommendation is that if people don't want to see the VIA HFR proposal discussed here that they ignore this thread
Allandale25
Senior Member
From the interview, I guess it depends how these words are interpreted since HFR does relate to these two things.
""We're investing in Canadians, in the Canadian economy, in Canadian infrastructure so that we can invest for a stronger, cleaner, greener future for Canadians," Chagger said Monday in an interview on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition with host Craig Norris." (emphasis added)
roger1818
Senior Member
Agreed. Also context is key. The full paragraph that says ”no fancy projects” is:
"Waterloo MP Bardish Chagger says the federal government isn't taking on any "fancy projects" during the COVID-19 pandemic and instead is making "strategic investments" to help the economy." (emphasis added)
2transpo
New Member
Doesn't HFR count as a "fancy project"? This isn't a strategic investment, it is a huge infrastructure project. If the government funds this in the budget, they will get massive flack for giving billions to VIA when Canadians are barely scraping by.
It basically has to. This is the only real window where HFR has any chance of getting through. If it misses this budget, it will end up like every other passenger rail scheme ever proposed in this country.
roger1818
Senior Member
I disagree. It is a "strategic investment" in greening our transportation sector.
Since, as @Allandale25 quoted, the article @sacred linked to says they are investing "in Canadian infrastructure," I am not sure how a a huge infrastructure project is against what the article is saying. It seems as though you are cherry picking 2 words in the article, and ignoring what it is trying to say.
Considering most of the money will go either directly or indirectly to employing Canadians, I don't see how the government will get flack for that, unless you think that instead of employing people and stimulating the economy, the government should just keep giving handouts in perpetuity.
Allandale25
Senior Member
I take the question as rhetorical. Some people here believe HFR is a 'fancy project' which was the term used in this article, others do not believe that's the case. It makes for a healthy debate here on UT.
nfitz
Superstar
Whether be HFR a fancy project or not, this government has been very transparent about pre-announcing anything big in upcoming budgets beforehand, so there are no budget surprises.
As that has not happened, we know there won't be a big commitment in the April budget - if there is an April budget. Has that been confirmed? - edit, federal budget is on April 19, 2021. I'd think if there's any progress on HFR, we'd be hearing something before budget day.
As that has not happened, we know there won't be a big commitment in the April budget - if there is an April budget. Has that been confirmed? - edit, federal budget is on April 19, 2021. I'd think if there's any progress on HFR, we'd be hearing something before budget day.
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Allandale25
Senior Member
^ I got the early April date for the budget based on some speculation I saw by some reporters based on the parliamentary calendar.
SFO-YYZ
Active Member
HRF/Infrastructure isn't even part of this minister's portfolio. She's the minister for Diversity, Inclusion, and Youth, which on the cabinet totem pole ranks pretty much as the last / least influential cabinet position.
I wouldn't take whatever she says too literally. If the comment instead was coming from Garneau or Freeland, it would indeed carry more weight.
TerryJohnson
New Member
There's still a month for some kind of announcement to take place, so I wouldn't rule it out yet.
If it isn't in the budget this year, it will be the airline lobby to blame, but I still find the "HSR-or-bust" narrative unhelpful. We need to actively build solutions to the mobility, economic, and climate crises using the assets and tools we've got today, not what we could've had if Canada had come to its senses about passenger rail in 2001 or 2011.
If it isn't in the budget this year, it will be the airline lobby to blame, but I still find the "HSR-or-bust" narrative unhelpful. We need to actively build solutions to the mobility, economic, and climate crises using the assets and tools we've got today, not what we could've had if Canada had come to its senses about passenger rail in 2001 or 2011.
roger1818
Senior Member
If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, it makes you question the sanity of the "HSR-or-bust" crowd .
EnviroTO
Senior Member
To move on to guessing when VIA Rail will cease operations and guessing if it will be replaced by outsourcing to bus operators like Robert Q which was being used between London and Sarnia as they pulled out services there?
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kEiThZ
Superstar
I don't think you understand the word "strategic". Look it up. HFR absolutely fits the bill.
Says who?