Carney says he 'should have been clearer' about new Gordie Howe bridge agreement. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)Social SharingPrime Minister Mark Carney says he "imperfectly" described the new deal to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge after the text of the agreement appeared to contradict his original explanation.
Carney says he could have explained new Gordie Howe bridge deal better, according to the latest reporting on the story.
Details
Available information indicates that Canada's PM Carney says Gordie Howe bridge tolls won't be split with Michigan until $6.4B of debt is repaid.
Text of new Gordie Howe bridge deal seems to contradict Carney, in a development tied to the same story.
Conservative MP Kelly McCauley, chair of the government operations committee, said in a social media post on Thursday that he's convening a meeting next week to launch an "urgent investigation into the details of the Gordie Howe bridge deal and the misinformation provided to Canadians about it.".
The deal — described as a "proposed agreement in principle" — says that for the first 15 years, Canada will split half of the bridge's net revenue with an economic development fund "established and solely controlled" by the U.S.
Gordie Howe bridge agreement released: Here’s what to know, according to the latest reporting on the story.
Available information indicates that to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge this month would cost Canada about five per cent of the project's total price tag.
Under that original agreement, Canada fronted the money for the construction of the bridge — which came in at $6.4 billion — and Canada was set to collect the tolls until the cost was repaid, after which the revenues would be split with Michigan.
Separately, Carney added that the cost of the new deal is "less than five per cent in present value of the overall cost of developing the bridge.".
Statements
«should have been clearer»
Context
The bridge's June opening was abruptly delayed until Ottawa and Washington reached the new agreement.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the agreement made with the U.S, according to the latest reporting on the story.
While attending the Calgary Stampede shortly after the deal was struck — but before the text was made public — Carney told CTV that bridge toll revenue would only be split with the U.S.
When pressed about the contradiction during a news conference on Thursday, the prime minister said he "should have been clearer" in his original comments and that the new revenue-splitting deal with the U.S.
Carney said that his initial comments about debt repayment being included in the deal were meant to be a reference to the original agreement with Michigan — even though he referenced the 15-year timeline of the U.S.
Gordie Howe bridge opening deal: What we know and don't know.
Gordie Howe bridge 'a very bad deal' for Canada: Conservative critic, according to the latest reporting on the story.
Available information indicates that That new deal between Ottawa and Washington was reached even though Canada and Michigan struck an initial deal to build the bridge in 2012.
What to watch next
portion of the revenues will go toward an economic fund, which Carney said is meant to be used to drive traffic toward the bridge, in a development tied to the same story.
Speaking to reporters shortly after Carney's news conference, Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer said the prime minister should be "embarrassed" by the deal with the U.S.
"The prime minister did an excellent job getting this deal done, getting $300 billion of goods across the border," Ford said at the news conference with Carney.
