Convention centre opponents say cash would be better spent elsewhere
Posted Aug 16, 2011 05:57:12 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There’s been plenty of cheering over the federal government’s decision to contribute $51.4 million to a new convention centre in Halifax – but there’s some jeering, too.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced the contribution on Monday, ending months of speculation about whether the project would become a reality.
But while political leaders of all stripes were applauding the announcement, noting the economic benefits, members of the citizenry were giving it a less warm welcome.
Kevin Lacey with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says his organization has been against a government-funded convention centre from the start, and says if the private sector wants a new convention centre – it should foot the bill.
“For too long, taxpayers have been footing the bill to pay for expensive promises by politicians,” he said. “What we’re saying in this case is that the average taxpayer will see very little benefit as a result of this project.”
At the Khyber Centre in downtown Halifax, the newly-opened “Culture not Convention” exhibit displayed photographs of 50 artists, acvitists and community boosters holding signs suggesting better uses for the money.
Co-organizer Emma Feltes explains the ideas covered housing, cycling and public transit infrastructure and small business and entrepreneurial incentives.
“I think that is really exemplary, it’s a really great juxtaposition to the convention centre, which is about bringing people ot Halifax for a short period of time,” she said. “A lot of these ideas are about keeping people here.”
Feltes says the pictures will be part of a petition to re-consider the project that will be sent to all three levels of government.
