If you’re looking for Brian Mason to blink because the volume is getting a little loud, you’re looking for disappointment.

Mason is more than willing to stand up for the Notley NDP government’s borrowing to build stuff and take on up to $55 billion in debt.

And he’s defending the government while the opposition Wildrose says it wants to see the limit on the province’s maximum debt cut by more than half that $55 billion.

Mason has a few words for what he thinks is up.

“That’s just kind of talking out of both sides of their mouth,” says Mason, of the Wildrose’s debt stance.

Mason is the NDP government’s boss of building and legislature quarterback who was once tagged with the nicknameWide Mouth Mason, after his style and the Canadian band.

“Probably most Wildrose MLAs have come to see me to lobby for a highway in their constituency or an interchange or to build a new school and so on.”

“When I finish with them I always give them a wink and say: Well, you know, you’re going to have to vote for that budget.”

They don’t.

“They want the stuff for their constituency and they’re not alone in this, they’re not alone in this at all. But they also want restraint for everyone else and, you know, it doesn’t work that way.”

Mason says there’s probably more agreement around the Notley NDP’s borrowing-to-build move than other things the government is doing.

He names backers like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Alberta Construction Association and Edmonton Economic Development, a trio likely not ready to sing Solidarity Forever in three-part harmony.

The point man for both infrastructure and transportation departments doesn’t see a problem in paying back whatever dough is borrowed when the time comes.

”Well, we do have to pay it back,” says Mason.

“This is very long-term borrowing at low interest rates. This government believes it is within the province’s fiscal capacity. Obviously we are expecting and planning on at least a partial recovery of the price of oil and gas.”

Obviously.

Mason says payments on the debt can be spread out over time.

“If you had to pay off your house in two annual payments or three annual payments how many people would own a house?”

He also draws what he sees as a lesson from his time at Edmonton city council where the capital city didn’t borrow like Calgary.

“We didn’t build very much and Calgary did and it moved ahead,” says Mason.

“If you invest in infrastructure you can help grow the economy and grow the revenues of the province and the debt becomes more manageable.”

Even with their borrowing plans, Mason adds the NDP government is juggling some big-ticket construction proposals.

“We have to decide which ones we can afford to do now and which one might have to be delayed. That’s our challenge.”

On Calgary’s planned Green Line LRT and possible dollars from the carbon tax, expected to take in billions a year starting in 2017.

“I think the premier has been clear. Projects reducing the carbon footprint of the province will be eligible to be funded.”

No decisions have been made. He’s talked plenty to Mayor Nenshi but hasn’t got a formal request for cash from the city.

The final completion date for a study on Deerfoot Tr. congestion is still being worked on.

The province could possibly stiffen penalties for drivers hitting pedestrians. It’s under review.

Toll roads are still not happening.

Shovels should be in the ground for the southwest ring road in the fall of 2016.

As for the west ring road, no start date yet.

Calgary’s west ring road is planned to go from Hwy. 1 at Canada Olympic Park to Hwy. 8.

“It certainly is our intention to complete the ring road,” says Mason.

‘There is no thought of not building it. The question is: When can we afford to build it?”

You see, whoever is in charge, there never really is enough money.

rick.bell@sunmedia.ca

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