Construction needs to begin this fall to ensure facilities are ready to host the Canada Summer Games in 2021.

But Niagara's Liberal MPs fear the provincial government might not release funding until it's too late - in what they described as a partisan effort to undermine the Liberals' hopes for the Oct. 21 federal election.

"It seems to be the direction from Queen's Park that they don't want anything to happen until after October," said St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle. "By then, you've missed the (construction) season."

Canada Summer Games Host Society chief executive officer Barry Wright said event organizers face a "definite time frame" to start construction, if the facilities are to be completed before the Games begin on Aug. 6, 2021.

"We need to have the shovels in the ground by late fall this year if we are going to meet deadlines.

"We just need to have our funding partners come to the table," he said, adding local municipalities and community groups "are already at the table."

"We're just waiting for a fingers-crossed confirmation from the province that they will be up for their share," Wright added.

Doug Hamilton, chair of the host society's board of directors, said the total infrastructure cost for the Games, including improvements to sports facilities throughout Niagara as well as construction of Canada Games Park near Brock University, will be about $98.8 million.

That will come with about $36 million in federal and about $30 million in provincial funding.

Hamilton said Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is a two-step process, requiring it first to be prioritized by the provincial government before both the provincial and federal funding is released.

"And we need to have both funding commitments in place by September, so that's our challenge," Hamilton said.

St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle said if the funding is delayed by the provincial government "we lose out on the construction season this year and we will not be able to build these buildings in time for 2021."

"The Games are going to happen one way or another, and if they don't get built we have a problem," he said.

Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey said the Canada Games facilities are among several infrastructure projects planned for Niagara that could be delayed. Others include a new Forks Road bridge crossing the canal in Dain City, a new Welland fire hall, a community improvement plan in Port Colborne, a city operations centre in Thorold and development of a mid-peninsula highway.

Bittle said there are numerous projects in his riding as well that could be impacted.

"I don't want Niagara to get left behind," Bittle said. "Niagara just wants our fair share and we want to be able to push forward and have a legacy that's left behind from hosting this event."

In an email, Niagara West Progressive Conservative MPP Sam Oosterhoff did not address concerns about the Summer Games infrastructure funding, instead blaming the federal government for the issues.

Oosterhoff said a new $30-billion program is being introduced by the PC government "to improve the well-being of the people of Ontario."

He called it "the most ambitious infrastructure investment in Ontario's history."

"After a careful review of every government program provincewide, we are now moving forward in a way that respects taxpayer money," Oosterhoff's email said.

"On the other hand, the chair of the Senate committee on national finance has called Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau's spending 'short-sighted,' lacking a strategic plan and failing to provide parliamentarians the critical information they need to provide effective oversight.

"The parliamentary budget officer found that only a fraction of planned spending had been assigned to projects. The Trudeau government was unable to provide basic information like lists of projects, project costs and anticipated start dates," Oosterhoff said. "Our government will deliver the major infrastructure investments that are actually needed by our economy, communities and families."

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Bittle said federal Minister of Infrastructure Fran�ois-Philippe Champagne has been working very closely with his provincial counterpart, Monte McNaughton, "but ultimately this is a political decision."

"It isn't even a matter of negotiation with us because the agreement is signed, the money's there. It's just up to the province to submit their priorities," Bittle said. "If they do that, the money can be out the door immediately."

Badawey said it became evident to the federal Liberal caucus about two months ago "that the Ford government was going to put politics ahead of people."

Anticipating the funding delays, Badawey said he suggested doubling federal gas tax money for municipalities.

He said that suggestion was included in the federal budget, resulting in an additional $17 million in funding to Niagara Region, $5 million for St. Catharines, $1.5 million for Welland and $500,000 each for Port Colborne and Thorold.

"That will suffice for some projects with respect to priorities that municipalities do have," Badawey said.

"But we have a lot of priorities here in Niagara and it's not about politics, it's about people . Let's park the politics, park the partisanship and let's just get on with it."

Allan.Benner@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1629 | @abenner1

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