OTTAWA — The Harper government directed the vast majority of funding under a $45-million program for the disabled into Conservative ridings, a tally of project data by the Liberal party shows.

The Liberals yesterday denounced what they allege is the politicization of a program designed to help people with disabilities, while the Conservatives insisted that funding for the program was based on merit.

About 94 per cent of funding flowing through the Enabling Accessibly Fund went project in Tory ridings, the Liberals say.

Just 6 per cent of the $36 million in projects funded so far ended up in ridings held by opposition parties, they found.

Among the only two projects to receive “major funding” under the program were a community centre in the Calgary riding of Conservative MP Devinder Shory and a recreation and performing arts centre in Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s Ontario riding.

Each of these projects received $15 million under the EAF program. The government turned down 87 other applications for major projects.

Flaherty’s wife, MPP Christine Elliott, is listed on the centre’s board of directors and his executive assistant, Nancy Shaw, also sits on the board. Last fall, when the Citizen first asked about the project, called Abilities Centre Durham, Flaherty’s press secretary said the minister stepped aside when the matter came before cabinet.

The Liberal analysis is based on information about the EAF tabled by the government in the House of Commons earlier this week that listed the projects by their federal ridings. It showed that 166 smaller projects were granted funding while another 562 were turned down.

Liberal MP Michael Savage said it was “pretty blatant” that the money was directed to Tory ridings. He said he’s sure the approved projects were worthwhile, but says it’s not fair those in other ridings didn’t get money.

“There are 306 other ridings in this county that have people with disabilities who are crying out for assistance. Who gets funding shouldn’t be determined who your representative is.”

But Human Resources Minister Diane Finley denied politics factored into the funding decisions.

“The awards are made based on applications and the quality of those applications,” she told the House.

She added that it was “pretty rich” for the Liberals to criticize the funding after they “lost the 2006 election because 100 per cent of their sponsorship money went to Liberal friends.”